Comedian Gilbert Gottfried — best known for his trademark voice and bawdy, boundary-pushing humor, died Tuesday at age 67.
He passed away after a long illness, friend and publicist Glenn Schwartz told Fox News.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness,” a statement via the actor’s Twitter account read.
“In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children.”
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 12, 2022
The actor died of recurrent ventricular tachycardia caused by Myotonic Dystrophy type II.
While Gottfried was arguably best known as the voice of the parrot Iago in Disney’s “Aladdin” and the Aflac duck, his boundary-pushing comedy will arguably be what he’s best remembered for.
A regular at celebrity roasts — where he managed to outdo even the bawdiest of other participants — Gottfried famously stole the show in the 2005 film “The Aristocrats,” a documentary about a legendary, improvised obscene shaggy-dog joke in which comedians tried to outdo one another in producing the filthiest version of it.
Gottfried’s television work in the 1980s led to a short breakout role in the movie “Beverly Hills Cop II” as business manager Sidney Bernstein, where it was said he stole the Eddie Murphy comedy “in a single scene.”
“Gilbert’s brand of humor was brash, shocking and frequently offensive, but the man behind the jokes was anything but,” said Frank Santopadre, Gilbert’s friend and podcast co-host.
“Those who loved and him were fortunate enough to share his orbit knew a person who was sweet, sensitive, surprisingly shy and filled with a childlike sense of playfulness and wonder.
“He’ll be dearly missed by family, friends, fans and comedy-lovers the world over. To quote Gilbert himself, ‘Too soon!'”
Gottfried’s death comes in a year which has seen several of his close collaborators die.
This photo is very sad now. RIP Bob Saget and RIP Louie Anderson. Both good friends that will be missed. pic.twitter.com/DLJ8Ntt7LN
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) January 21, 2022
Last year we lost Norm Macdonald & just a few months ago we lost Bob Saget. Now today it pains me to say that we've just lost Gilbert Gottfried. Three legendary comedians I grew up on are now gone. #ripGilbertGottfried pic.twitter.com/psZaOyp81p
— Βƌβƌβơ⊔⟟ℓℓ⋲ (@WulfMunkey) April 12, 2022
Former “Saturday Night Life” alum and stand-up vet Norm Macdonald died last September.
In January, comedian and “Full House” actor Bob Saget passed away.
Later in the month, comic Louie Anderson passed away as well.