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Rodney Dangerfield Gets Some Respect… Way Before Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: August 5, 2025

Rodney Dangerfield, who played the iconic role of Al Czervik in the cult-classic Caddyshack, is still quoted when my family and I need a laugh. During the 1980s, we huddled around our high-tech, Betamax movie system to watch this legendary actor in the incredibly funny, golf comedy co-starring Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Ted Knight.

As you may know, Rodney Dangerfield (1921 – 2004) is just one of many celebrities that had heart valve repair or heart valve replacement during their lifetime. Other living celebrities who battled heart valve disease include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones, U2’s Bono and many more.

Rodney Dangerfield - Double Heart Valve Replacement Patient

I was on the New York Times website where I saw this story about Rodney Dangerfield, his heart valve surgeries, his wife and… Respect. I thought you might like to review it:

Rodney Dangerfield has at last achieved a modicum of respect: a Los Angeles judge has sided with the comedian’s widow, ordering that a friend of Mr. Dangerfield’s cannot distribute video footage shot during the final years of his life, The Associated Press reported.
Last year Mr. Dangerfield’s widow, Joan Dangerfield, filed suit against David Permut, a producer who had taped more than 200 hours of footage with Mr. Dangerfield, who died in 2004 of complications from his second heart valve replacement surgery.
Mr. Permut intended to edit the material into a documentary called “Respect.” As part of a settlement reached between lawyers for Ms. Dangerfield and Mr. Permut, the judge issued a permanent injunction that prevents him from distributing the material.

Glad you got your respect Rodney!

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.