Don Rickles did not record his part for Toy Story 4 before he died

Late comedian Don Rickles did not record his part for Toy Story 4 before he died, it has been confirmed.

The 90-year-old – famed for his put-downs and zingers during stand-up routines – had voiced the character of surly Mr Potato Head since the original John Lasseter directed animated film in 1995.

Mr Rickles was set to reprise his role for a fourth time, however his agent confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he had not been able to before his passing on 6 April from kidney failure.

Filmmakers Pixar had been doing rewrites on the script and the Hollywood veteran had not yet been called in to record his voice tracks for the highly anticipated fourth instalment.

The plot for the latest film which also stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen is currently unknown, as is how big a part Mr Potato Head was expected to play.

The character could still be included using recorded material from the three previous films.

"Don Rickles was a comic genius, and here at Pixar we were honoured to also call him a friend," a statement by Lasseter and posted online by Pixar read. "The wit, personality, and incredible timing he brought to Mr Potato Head lit up the character and made him an essential part of the Toy Story ensemble. Even though Mr Potato Head's facial features fell off in every Toy Story movie his heart never left him – that was because of Don. We will miss him tremendously."

His co-stars also paid tribute on social media with Oscar-winner Hanks – who plays cowboy Woody – tweeting: "A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx."

While comedian and the voice of space ranger Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen, remarked: "Don Rickles is one of the biggest reasons I am a comic today. I feel bad, mostly for everyone in Heaven who will now learn first hand from the sharpest wits ever, what it's like to be Rickled."

Toy Story 4 is due to be released in 2019.