COMEDIAN Gilbert Gottfried has died at age 67, his family confirmed on Tuesday.
His death marks yet another tragic loss to the comedy world after Bob Saget and Norm MacDonald’s recent deaths.
Gottfried’s family shared on Facebook: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness.”
They added: “Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”
Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld fame, was one of the first to suggest on social media that Gottfried had passed away, writing on Twitter: “Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily.”
“What a gift. I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me. My best wishes and sympathy to his family.”
Gottfried was known for playing many iconic roles, including lending his distinctive voice to the parrot Iago in the 1992 animated classic Aladdin.
Read our Gilbert Gottfried live blog for the latest news and updates…
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Fans comment on Gottfried’s death
Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld, was one of the first to comment that the actor had passed away.
“Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift,” he wrote on Twitter.
“RIP Gilbert Gottfried,” he added.
One fan wrote on Twitter that they watched one of Gottfried’s films the night before the news of his death.
The user wrote: “I’ve NEVER been an Aladdin fan but randomly last night I INSISTED that we watch it with the kids. Rest in Paradise 💕”
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Gottfried’s famous roles
Gilbert Gottfried was best known for his very distinctive voice, most famously on display when he played the parrot Iago in the 1992 animated classic Aladdin.
He would voice the character in Aladdin follow-ups as well, including the TV series which ran from 1994 through 1995.
Gilbert was also heard as the duck from 2000 through 2011 in the now-famous Aflac commercials.
The star would appear in various other projects such as Beverly Hills Cop II, Problem Child, Doctor Dolittle, and others.
One of Gilbert’s first big breaks came as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, which he stayed on for 12 episodes through 1981.
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Cause of death
According to TMZ, Gilbert’s rep, Glenn Schwartz, revealed the comedian died from a “heart abnormality called Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.”
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Cause of death
According to TMZ, Gilbert’s rep, Glenn Schwartz, revealed the comedian died from a “heart abnormality called Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.”
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Gottfried and wife Dana worked together
Gottfried and his wife, Dana Kravitz, didn’t shy away from working together.
She produced his podcast, The Amazing Colossal Podcast, which won an Emmy award in 2015 for Best Podcast.
She’s also credited on IMDb with several credits to her name, including an executive producer slot for her work on “Gilbert Gottfried: Dirty Jokes” in 2005.
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Who is Gilbert Gottfried’s wife Dara Kravitz?
Gilbert Gottfried has passed away and is survived by his wife, Dara Kravitz.
Kravitz is an American film producer, a radio podcaster.
She met Gottfried in 1997 at a party for the Grammy awards, and they dated for a decade before tying the knot on February 3, 2007.
Their daughter Lily Aster was born in 2007, and their son Max Aaron was born in 2009.
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Jason Alexander’s statement
“Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily,” Seinfeld actor Jason Alexander wrote on Twitter.
“What a gift. I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me. My best wishes and sympathy to his family. #ripGilbertGottfried.”
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Iconic actor and comedian
Gottfried was an actor and well-known stand-up comedian.
He appeared on shows like Saturday Night Live, USA Up All Night, Beverly Hills Cop II, and more.
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Where was Gottfried born?
Gilbert Jeremy Gottfried was born on February 28, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York.
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Family’s statement
Gottfried’s family released a statement on Facebook, writing: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness.”
“In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend, and father to his two young children.”
They added: “Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”
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How old was Gilbert Gottfried?
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried died at the age of 67.
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How did Gilbert Gottfried die?
Gottfried died following a long illness, according to his family.
But his exact cause of death was not announced.
