GILBERT Gottfried has died at age 67 following a long illness according to his family.
Jason Alexander, of Seinfeld fame, turned heads when he first hinted the actor had passed away.
He wrote on Twitter: “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.”
“RIP Gilbert Gottfried,” he added.
Fans were quick to react as one wrote: “I am so sad to hear this,” as another added, “Oh no, I’m sorry to hear this!”
Other shocked fans couldn’t believe the news, however, Gilbert’s family would soon confirm it with their own statement.
They shared on Facebook: “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.”
They added: “Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”
According to TMZ, Gilbert’s rep, Glenn Schwartz, revealed the actor died from a “heart abnormality called Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.”
Gilbert was best known for his very distinctive voice, most famous showcased when he played the parrot Iago in the 1992 animated classic Aladdin.
He would also voice the character in Aladdin follow-ups including the TV series which ran from 1994 through 1995.
Gilbert was also heard as the duck from 2000 through 2011 in the now famous Aflac commercials.
The star would also appear in various films including roles roles in Beverly Hills Cop II, Problem Child, Doctor Dolittle and others.
One of Gilbert’s first big breaks was as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, which he stayed on for 12 episodes through 1981.
Gilbert’s passing comes just three months after his friend, Full House alum Bob Saget, passed away in Florida amid his comedy tour.
At the time, Gilbert remembered Bob in an interview on Dax Holt and Adam Glyn’s podcast Hollywood Raw.
“It was like he was looking forward to going back on the road,” Gilbert said of his last conversation with the fellow funnyman.
He continued: “Same guy. Always cracking jokes. The minute any one of us started talking seriously, we’d come in with a totally bad taste joke.”
However, Gilbert was shocked by Bob’s passing, as he recalled: “Whenever I hear about somebody’s death I always think well okay, okay, were they on drugs?
“Were they drinking? Were they way overweight? Out of shape? Or something and then you find out no, no, none of those are true.”
“He was never someone that I ever knew to be on drugs, drinking, or anything like that.”
Gilbert recently shared a photo alongside Bob and comedian Louie Anderson, who also passed away in January.
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