Longtime standup comedian Gilbert Gottfried dies at age 67 following a ‘long illness’

Longtime standup comedian Gilbert Gottfried known for his distinctive voice which he lent to the movie Aladdin and to the Aflac duck dies at age 67

•  Longtime character actor Gilbert Gottfried has died at the age of 67
•  He was best known for voicing the character Iago in the 1992 film Aladdin
•  His family announced his passing after quietly battling a ‘long illness’  
• His publicist, Glenn Schwartz, revealed he suffered from a form of heart failure, due to myotonic dystrophy type II 
• Gilbert is survived by his wife Dara, his daughter Lily, 14, son Max, 12, a sister Karen and nephew Graham 

By Heidi Parker For Dailymail.com

Published: 15:38 EDT, 12 April 2022 | Updated: 16:46 EDT, 12 April 2022

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Longtime character actor Gilbert Gottfried has died at the age of 67, it was announced on Tuesday on his Twitter account.

The comedian died Tuesday due to complications from muscular dystrophy, his friend and publicist Glenn Schwartz said in a statement. 

Gottfried was best known for voicing the character Iago in the 1992 film Aladdin and for also lending his voice to the Aflac duck, the mascot of Aflac insurance. 

His family posted a personal, heartfelt message to announce his death on Twitter.

‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long sickness,’ the tribute with a photo of the comedian said.  

Sad farewell: Longtime character actor Gilbert Gottfried has died at the age of 67, it was announced on Tuesday on his Twitter account

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‘In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,’ it was also shared. 

‘Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor. 

Heartbreaking news: His family posted a personal, heartfelt message to announce he passed after a ‘long illness,’ it was shared. Seen in 2014 in NYC

Grieving: Gilbert is survived by his wife Dara and their two children Lily, 14, and 12-year-old son Max; pictured in 2017

Gottfried’s longtime friend and publicist, Glenn Schwartz said that his client and longtime pal suffered from recurrent ventricular tachycardia, a form of heart failure, due to myotonic dystrophy type II. 

Gottfried and his wife Dara Kravitz, who he wed back in 2007, share a 14-year-old daughter named Lily and their son Max, 12. 

The note was signed: ‘Love, the Gottfried family.’ 

He gave it his all: The star was also in the movie Problem Child in 1990 and The Aristocrats in 2005. Seen in 2016

He was best known for voicing the character Iago – Aladdin’s parrot – in the 1992 animated Disney movie Aladdin and subsequent TV series.

The star was also in the movie Problem Child in 1990 and The Aristocrats in 2005.  

Seinfeld star Jason Alexander paid a tribute: ‘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. #ripGilbertGottfried.’

A loss to the world: Seinfeld star Jason Alexander paid a tribute: ‘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. #ripGilbertGottfried’

Sad: Comedian Dane Cook also took to social media to express his grief as he tweeted: ‘Sending love to @RealGilbert ’s wife Dara, his family fans. Gilbert Gottfried was never not funny. He was a lovely guy, always friendly made many people happy’

Comedian Dane Cook also took to social media to express his grief as he tweeted: ‘Sending love to @RealGilbert ’s wife Dara, his family fans. Gilbert Gottfried was never not funny. He was a lovely guy, always friendly made many people happy.’ 

The star was born in Brooklyn, New York and started pursuing his career as a stand-up comedy at just 15.

In addition to a 12-episode stint on Saturday Night Live, he appeared in Beverly Hills Cop II with Eddie Murphy and regularly appeared as a guest on Howard Stern’s radio show in the Eighties to impersonate famous people and characters. 

After the deaths of Bob Saget and Louie Anderson within a few weeks of each other in January 2022, Gottfried shared a photo of the three of them taking a selfie. 

‘This photo is very sad now. RIP Bob Saget and RIP Louie Anderson. Both good friends that will be missed,’ he wrote. 

Gone too soon: After the deaths of Bob Saget and Louie Anderson within a few weeks of each other in January 2022, Gottfried shared a photo of the three of them taking a selfie, now the three comedians have all passed

Gottfried recently posted a selfie defending his friend and fellow comedian Chris Rock following his assault on Oscar night 

Article source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10712667/Aladdin-star-Gilbert-Gottfried-dies-age-67-actor-passed-away.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490