Stand-up comedian and voice actor Gilbert Gottfried, has died after battling a long illness, his family said Monday. He was 67 years old.
"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried," his family said in a statement. "In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children."
Gottfried was perhaps best known for voicing the parrot "Iago" in Disney's animated film "Aladdin," his shrill voice bringing the character to life.
However, his comedy career began long before 1992 film, on the stage as a stand up comedian at just 15 years old in New York City, his homestate.
His most recent work was in "Cyberchase," an Amazon TV series short, according to IMDB. His work history includes The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Kominsky Method, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, among many others.
Hundreds have commented on Gottfried's passing after reading his family's statement, many of them fellow actors.
Tuesday afternoon, Gottfried's friend Jeffrey Ross shared on Instagram that he was able to say "goodbye to Gil," Monday night.
"Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily," fellow actor and comedian Jason Alexander wrote in a tweet.
"He went quietly (surprising, I know) in his sleep from a rare muscle disease that’s been bugging him for awhile," Ross wrote.
"He handled it all like a champ - performing until the end...Although today is a sad day, please keep laughing as loud as possible so Gil and Bob [Saget] and Norm [MacDonald] can hear it."
Gottfried is survived by his wife, Dara Kravitz, and their children, Lilly, 14, and Max, 12.
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