On Tuesday, April 12, comedian Gilbert Gottfried passed away.
His family posted a statement to his Instagram account, which read, “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. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor. Love, the Gottfried family.”
The “Aladdin” voice actor leaves behind his wife, Dara Kravitz, a daughter named Lily, and a son named Max.
On Wednesday, his family released a video of the comedian cracking jokes only hours before he passed away.
Gilbert Gottfried’s Final Jokes Bring Both Laughter And Tears
Last video of Gilbert’s last recording of “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast”. Doing his James Mason impression with guest Brenda Vaccaro. A few hours later he would be rushed to the hospital. @SiriusXMComedy @Franksantopadre pic.twitter.com/CtHo3qFOUW
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) May 4, 2022
In his final hours, Gottfried had been filming an episode of his SiriusXM podcast, “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast” with guest Brenda Vaccaro.
They tweeted, “Last video of Gilbert’s last recording of ‘Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast.’ Doing his James Mason impression with guest Brenda Vaccaro. A few hours later he would be rushed to the hospital.”
His longtime friend and publicist Glenn Schwartz released a statement saying that Gottfried died on April 12 just after 2:30 PM ET from recurrent ventricular tachycardia due to myotonic dystrophy type II. Gottfried had previously been open with his fans about heart problems.
Celebrities Pay Tribute To The Late Gilbert Gottfried
Many comedians and friends in the entertainment industry took to social media to pay their respects for the late comedian after his passing.
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
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) April 12, 2022
“Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander was one of the first to pay tribute to the late voice actor. He tweeted, “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”
RIP Gilbert. Opening for Gilbert Gottfried at Carolines and Princeton Catch was one of the great thrills of my early stand up life. He could leave you gasping for breath…just indescribably unusually hilarious…Damn.
— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) April 12, 2022
Former “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart tweeted, “RIP Gilbert. Opening for Gilbert Gottfried at Carolines and Princeton Catch was one of the great thrills of my early stand up life. He could leave you gasping for breath…just indescribably unusually hilarious…D—.”
I shall miss you, my friend, my sometimes foil, my always pain in my side, usually from the belly laughs. The heavens are a great deal louder with you out there now, I’m sure. Keep ‘em shaking their heads and smiling, Gilbert. https://t.co/Wv1UGlKCQy
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 12, 2022
Actor George Takei tweeted, “I shall miss you, my friend, my sometimes foil, my always pain in my side, usually from the belly laughs. The heavens are a great deal louder with you out there now, I’m sure. Keep ‘em shaking their heads and smiling, Gilbert.”
Gilbert would be the first one to make a joke about this picture today. The first. And he would not hold back. https://t.co/B8hszsDGcI
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) April 12, 2022
Comedian Kathy Griffin tweeted, “Gilbert would be the first one to make a joke about this picture today. The first. And he would not hold back.”
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.
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) April 12, 2022
Comedian Dane Cook 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.”
I saw Gilbert perform in 1985 and when he entered to applause he said, “Thank you, thank you very much.” He then continued to say “thank you” repeatedly for ten full minutes. It was the nerviest, funniest thing I had seen. So sorry to lose this sweet and delightfully funny man.
— Conan O’Brien (@ConanOBrien) April 12, 2022
Conan O’Brien tweeted, “I saw Gilbert perform in 1985 and when he entered to applause he said, ‘Thank you, thank you very much.”’He then continued to say ‘thank you’ repeatedly for ten full minutes. It was the nerviest, funniest thing I had seen. So sorry to lose this sweet and delightfully funny man.”
He was a unique voice in comedy on so many levels. Unpredictable, one-of-a-kind, hilarious & irreplaceable! Thank you for the lifetime of laughs, sir.#RIP_GilbertGottfried 💔 https://t.co/5tUbQBdnn6
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) April 12, 2022
“Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill tweeted, “He was a unique voice in comedy on so many levels. Unpredictable, one-of-a-kind, hilarious & irreplaceable! Thank you for the lifetime of laughs, sir.”
