His family announced his death after a long illness through his Twitter page. Gottfried was best known for his stand-up comedy and for his roles in films such as Aladdin and Problem Child. “Apart from being the most iconic voice in the comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,” the statement said. “Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loudly as you can in honor of Gilbert.” A spokesman for the late star told TMZ he died of a heart condition called ventricular tachycardia due to type 2 myotonic dystrophy. Gottfried was discovered as a young standup and starred in a Saturday Night Live season in 1980. This led to film roles such as Beverly Hills Cop II and the series Problem Child. His unmistakable voice led to great vocal work, most notably the parrot Iago in Aladdin, whom he later referred to as his “favorite work of all time”. He was also known for the children’s show Cyberchase and for expressing the duck in Aflac commercials. His on-screen roles also included Ren and Stibby, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Dr Dolittle, A Million Ways to Die in the West and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. Gilbert Gottfried in 1975. Photo: Album / Alamy He was known to go overboard, making dangerous jokes, including a controversial 9/11 joke at Hugh Hefner’s roast. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2012, he said: “The other thing that has always fascinated me is when they say ‘Tragedy equals comedy’ or when they shout ‘Very soon!’ I always felt, “Okay, please show me where the office is where there’s a guy behind an office who has it written down in a diary when something goes wrong.” He also recently reviewed the Chris Rock / Will Smith Oscar story, posting a photo of himself with Rock on Twitter, writing: “What’s the worst crime?” “Is Chris Rock physically assaulted or is Chris Rock telling a joke?” “I can say anything bad about another person, but if they start making fun of the shirt I’m wearing, I say, come on, that’s just – it’s a joke, but now you’re doing a really tough site,” he said with a laugh. 2017 interview. “So I’m as hypocritical as anyone else.” Seinfeld star Jason Alexander paid tribute to Twitter by writing: “Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter was not easy. What a gift. I did not know him well but I liked what he shared with me. My best wishes and my condolences to his family “. “Gilbert Gottfried was never funny,” comedian Dane Cook wrote on Twitter. “He was a great guy, always friendly and made a lot of people happy.” “I will miss you, my friend, sometimes my foil, the constant pain in my side, usually from the laughter of my belly,” actor George Takei wrote on Twitter. “The heavens are much stronger with you out there now, I’m sure. “Keep shaking your head and smiling, Gilbert.” Jon Stewart also wrote on Twitter: “It could let you breathe; just indescribably unusually hilarious.” Gottfried was survived by his wife, Dara Kravitz, and two children.
