Gilbert Gottfried’s 10 Most Iconic Voice Roles

Carys Anderson
·7 min read
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The post Gilbert Gottfried’s 10 Most Iconic Voice Roles appeared first on Consequence.

In the latest of seemingly nonstop hits to the comedy world, legendary comic Gilbert Gottfried passed away Tuesday, April 12th, at the age of 67. While it’d be fair to remember him as a Saturday Night Live cast member, a Howard Stern Show regular, a roast champion, or an Aristocrats master, what perhaps immortalizes Gottfried above all is the larger-than-life voice that boomed out of his slight 5’5″ frame.

Much like the scowl that came with his delivery, Gottfried’s voice was unmistakable. His shrill speech brought a hilarious sense of exasperation to his children’s roles, and hammered home his adult humor. In honor of the late comedian, we’ve rounded up the 10 film and TV roles that utilized Gottfried’s voice best.

You can also read tributes to Gottfried from other comedians, and explore three of his most controversial bits.

10. Patrick Swayze and Jerry Seinfeld, Clerks: The Animated Series (2000)

Gottfried’s voice is iconic for its high-pitched, raspy, near-yell quality, lending itself perfectly to cartoon birds (see later on this list) and… Patrick Swayze? Tapping the instantly-recognizable comedian to voice another well-known celebrity seems absurd — and that’s exactly what drew Kevin Smith and the team behind Clerks: The Animated Series to the idea. After attempting and failing to get Swayze to appear in the series (according to Smith, the actor was insulted by the offer), the team decided to take a different direction. Gottfried makes no attempt to embody Swayze in his performance, instead delivering the lines in his natural Gottfried glory (adding to what is easily the series’ best episode).

He also voiced fellow comedian Jerry Seinfeld in the show, though opting for an over-the-top (but surprisingly accurate) impression this time around, complete with a “What’s the deal?!” Both instances are hilarious, and both prove Gottfried’s innate comedic sense, whether he’s playing a role or “playing” a role. – Jonah Krueger

09. Berkeley Beetle, Thumbelina (1994)

Gottfried brings a much-needed edge to the Disney films in which he appears, and while not his most famous Disney Animation role, Gottfried’s portrayal of Berkeley Beetle is every bit as important to its respective film. In fact, I’d argue that the role is perhaps even better suited for Gottfried’s talents. Beetle is mischievous, not-exactly-trustworthy, and, above all, a committed showman. The character is perfect for the dramatics of Gottfried, and it’s no doubt a highlight of the 1994 film. Beetle and his film may not be as revered as his evil bird counterpart or the behemoth that is Aladdin, but real Gottfried-heads know that appreciation of Gottfried’s work without mention of Thumbelina is sorely incomplete. – J.K.

08. Art DeSalvo, Duckman (1994-1997)

Man, Gottfried played an amazing lovable asshole. His tendency to yell and stunted vocal cadence was perfect for characters living their lives in morally gray areas, characters who aren’t as suave as they think they are and are all the more entertaining for it. His portrayal of Art DeSalvo on Duckman, is one of his best examples. The almost grotesque, exaggerated face of DeSalvo heightens Gottfried’s slimy performance, culminating in a conman who’s so much fun to watch, no matter how difficult he is. Duckman was short-lived and DeSalvo only appears in a handful of episodes, though like many Gottfried characters, he’s of the most memorable aspects of the show. – J.K.

07. Santa Claus, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: Billy & Mandy Save Christmas (2005)

A cartoon, vampire Santa Claus. Sure, why not? It fits right in with the world of The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and it only makes sense that Gottfried would be the one suited for such a role. Despite all of its absurdity, the character, at its heart, rides the line between innocent and murderous, jolly and horrifying. It’s in this way that Gottfried excels, as he morphs his voice to either be soft and quirky or shredding and scary. Sure, it’s over-the-top, but it’s perfect for a whacked-out kid’s show that sneaks in moments of true emotionality. Put like that, Gottfried was really the only choice — especially considering he was Jewish. – J.K.

06. Digit, Cyberchase (2002-2022)

There must be something about animated birds that just scream Gilbert Gottfried. Cyberchase’s Digit, however, is much friendlier than the sinister Iago, leaving the villainy of the series to Christopher Loyd’s Hacker. (Side note: why does this educational PBS cartoon have such a stacked cast?) Digit, a robotic bird, helps his human friends survive their adventures in Cyberspace, solving math problems along the way. Gottfried was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award for Cyberchase in 2009, and the show, which started in 2002, continues to air in 2022. The show is in the midst of its 13th season, showcasing just how lovable and charming Gottfried and the children’s show continue to be. – J.K.

05. Mr. Mxyzptlk, Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Action (1997-2017)

Superman’s trickster foe has been around since the ‘40s, but Gottfried’s portrayal of the “weird little man” — in both in the ‘90s classic Superman: The Animated Series and the more recent Justice League Action, plus a number of DC Comics video games — masters the art of being both dangerous and comically unthreatening. Superman remains unfazed by his tiny opponent, only to fall prey to Mxyztplk’s bending reality. Much like his character’s stature, Gottfried’s discordant delivery masked his power, only to sneak up on us in the most unexpected moments. — Carys Anderson

04. Jared Kushner, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2017-2019)

Jared Kushner married into the insufferably talkative Trump family, but despite years serving as the president’s senior advisor dealing with major international issues, Mrs. Ivanka was rarely heard by the majority of the public. Naturally, Kushner’s awkward and toxic presence proved a wellspring for comedians, who wondered aloud what the businessman actually sounded like.

John Oliver made the most of this mystery, initiating a long-running gag where he would proclaim to have found a rare piece of evidence that Kusher did, in fact, have a voice — only to dub in Gottfried’s infamous shriek instead. Gottfried would turn his voice up to 11 for the bit, uttering the most incoherent nonsense imaginable every time. It’s an audio gag that doesn’t get old, even when most jokes about the Trump family expired upon arrival. — C.A. 

03. Compulsive Dog, Dr. Doolittle (1998)

In an excellent bit of casting, Gottfried joined the stacked cast of Dr. Doolittle as a dog suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. His obsession of choice? Playing fetch, of course. Dr. Eddie Murphy tries to talk some sense into the dog (“I want you to think about something else”), who remains focused on the game at hand (“Shut up and throw the damn ball”). As the canine (is that a Bichon Frise?) jumps over and over to Murphy’s eye level in excitement, you can’t help but wonder: Isn’t this exactly what you’d think a dog would sound like? — C.A. 

02. The Aflac Duck (1999-2011)

Even if you don’t know who Gottfried is, if someone tells you he was the voice of the Aflac Duck, it would just make sense. For over a decade, the insistent, almost menacing mascot taught us all about supplemental insurance — or, at least, made sure we knew that Aflac provided it. Over time, Gottfried’s character joined forces in ads with other legendary comedians like Chevy Chase, Yogi Berra, Yao Ming, Carl Edwards, and Wayne Newton, cementing Aflac as one of those companies that truly understands how to make advertising funny. Simplicity is key, after all. — C.A. 

01. Iago the Parrot, Aladdin (1992)

Aladdin was a key achievement in the Disney Renaissance, and besides Robin Williams’ bombastic portrayal of the Genie, the film would be almost devoid of energy without Gottfried’s Iago. Jafar’s parrot companion is more than an obedient assistant; by mimicking the speech of the humans around him, Iago is just as sardonic as his villainous owner, tricking his enemies with his imitations and screeching his frustrations at being perceived as a pretty Polly pet (don’t feed him any crackers).

Disney films enchant generations with their ability to imbue children’s stories with complex, real-life characters — not just straightforward, black-and-white morality. With Iago’s character arc, Gottfried masters this feat hilariously. — C.A. 

Gilbert Gottfried’s 10 Most Iconic Voice Roles
Carys Anderson

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