Gilbert Gottfried remembered as 'a brilliant comedian and just the sweetest guy'
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Gilbert Gottfried, who has died at the age of 67, is being remembered for the many, many laughs he's given the world during his long career.
The gravel-voiced actor and stand-up comedian, who had a short run on Saturday Night Live and appeared in the Problem Child films, died after "a long illness," his family said in a statement on Tuesday. "In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert's honor."
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 12, 2022
The reactions to the death of Gottfried — whose life and career was the subject of a 2017 documentary — came even before the family's official announcement when Seinfeld alum Jason Alexander posted a tribute.
"Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift," Alexander wrote. "I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me."
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
After the official word came from the family, others including Dane Cook reacted. The comedian wrote, "Gilbert Gottfried was never not funny. He was a lovely guy, always friendly & made many people happy."
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
Jon Stewart said opening for Gottfried at early comedy shows "was one of the great thrills of my early standup life. He could leave you gasping for breath... just indescribably unusually hilarious."
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
Laraine Newman shared a photo of them on the set of Problem Child 2, calling him, "Dear, sweet, hilarious Gilbert.
On the set of Problem Child 2. Dear, sweet, hilarious Gilbert. pic.twitter.com/vqvLHqr7Zj
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) April 12, 2022
She also shared a photo of them together two months ago, borrowing Patton Oswalt's sentiment.
And, 2 months ago. Patton Oswalt is right-fuck death. pic.twitter.com/P2FjyJvMOO
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) April 12, 2022
Here was Oswalt's tweet. (He also shared a photo of them together.)
Fuck you, death. https://t.co/Fc4zXrlPw8
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 12, 2022
Jennifer Tilly, who worked on Goosed with Gottfried, called him a "brilliant comedian and just the sweetest guy ... Everybody adored him."
Rip Gilbert Gottfried, a brilliant comedian and just the sweetest guy. We worked together on “Goosed.” Everybody adored him. https://t.co/r37FeFjxjo
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) April 12, 2022
Gilbert director Neil Berkeley on his friend "Gil."
Judd Apatow said "nobody was funnier than @RealGilbert on a roll. He could put you into convulsive hysterics. He was also the sweetest man ... What a terrible loss."
Nobody was funnier than @RealGilbert on a roll. He could put you into convulsive hysterics. He was also the sweetest man. His podcast is a comedy treasure. What a terrible loss. Sending my condolences and love to Dara and his family. https://t.co/qdZQV1A6sC
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) April 12, 2022
Comedienne Kathy Griffin retweeted a photo Gottfried, who voiced Iago the Parrot in Disney's Aladdin films, posted after the deaths of Louie Anderson and Bob Saget earlier this year — and kept her reaction humorous despite the loss of the trio being anything but.
"Gilbert would be the first one to make a joke about this picture today," she wrote of the three famed comedians who died over the last four months. "The first. And he would not hold back."
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
Here are some others:
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
One of a million crazy-funny Gilbert memories is when he made a deranged caller to the @HowardStern show repeat a LONG story 15 times, each time pretending he couldn't hear what he said.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 12, 2022
So sorry to hear about Gilbert Gottfried’s passing. Truly a funny, funny guy. So unique. He will be sorely missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) April 12, 2022
Big loss to the world of comedy. Gilbert Gottfried has left us. Fearless and hilarious!!! A truly lovely man, loved by all in comedy. May his memory be a blessing to his family, his friends & all he made laugh!
— Al Franken (@alfranken) April 12, 2022
My sweet friend. May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/nH9sDYY3ZK
— Amy Yasbeck (@AmyYasbeck4real) April 12, 2022
Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh so hard that day on set, I could barely do my job. A wholly original comic, and an equally kind and humble guy behind the scenes. He will be missed. https://t.co/93cKB6KEg8
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) April 12, 2022
Oh!! What a unique and awesome comedian, actor you were! Always captured my attention. Rest well!❤️https://t.co/YYarKOuqex
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 12, 2022
It was my honor to have met and interviewed and done bits with one of the greats. Rest In Peace, Gilbert Gottfried. #hardblackwax pic.twitter.com/6rgFQnt8aO
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 13, 2022
I can't believe this. Gilbert Gottfried is gone. Rest in peace funny man. ❤️🙏❤️ This picture with Bob Saget and Louie Anderson was only taken 3 months ago. Now he is in the Great Comedy Club in the beyond with all his friends. 😥 https://t.co/ZVJGbCHMAW
— Lydia Cornell (@LydiaCornell) April 12, 2022
I guess all the great comedians are dying because no one‘s allowed to make jokes about anything any more #RIP Gilbert
— Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16) April 12, 2022
I really love Gilbert Gottfried's comedy and documentary on his life and - I really wish God would stop taking all the people who make us laugh and happy. Way too young, way too soon.
Love and light to his family and loved ones.— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 12, 2022
Gottfried started doing stand-up at age 15. He did a season on SNL, but was better known for the shrill voice he adopted for stand-up and voice roles as well as his crude humor. He had movie roles in Problem Child and its sequel as well as Beverly Hills Cop II with SNL castmate Eddie Murphy. He would always liven things up — whether it was being a regular on Hollywood Squares on doing impressions of other comics during visits to the Howard Stern Show. He also voiced the Aflac duck in commercials for a while, and hosted his own podcast, Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast!.
Gottfried married wife Dara in 2007. They have two children together: Lily and Max. Lily has shared a tribute as well.
