Gilbert Gottfried passed away on Tuesday from Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II. The iconic comedian was 67.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness,” his family wrote in a statement.
Gottfried’s representative referred to his known title as “the comedian’s comedian” “because his live performances put aside political correctness while he delivers jokes that know no boundaries.”
Gottfried starred in a number of films including Beverly Hills Cop II, Problem Child, Look Who’s Talking II, and The Aristocrats. He was also the voice of Iago, the parrot, in Disney’s Aladdin.
In 2017, a documentary about his life was released, titled Gilbert. Gottfried was a co-host of “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!” a podcast where he and Frank Santopadre interviewed Hollywood icons.
“Those who loved him and 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,” Santopadre said in a statement provided via Gottfried’s publicist. “He’ll be dearly missed by family, friends, fans, and comedy lovers the world over. To quote Gilbert himself, ‘Too soon!'”
“Although today is a sad day for us all,” his family wrote, “please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”
—
Photo credit: Sam Aronov / Shutterstock.com