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Entertainment • Comedian

Gilbert Gottfried

Gilbert Gottfried was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and voice artist known for his distinctive high-pitched voice and provocative comedy style.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gilbert Gottfried was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and voice artist known for his distinctive high-pitched voice and provocative comedy style. He worked in stand-up, television, film, and voice acting, and was especially known for voicing Iago in Disney's Aladdin franchise and the Aflac Duck in commercials. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1955 and died in 2022.

Early life and career

Gottfried was born in Brooklyn in 1955 and began doing stand-up in New York clubs at age 15. He developed a career as a comedian before moving into television and film.

Television, film, and voice work

He appeared on Saturday Night Live and in films such as Beverly Hills Cop II and Problem Child. He was especially known for voice roles, including Iago in Disney's Aladdin franchise and Digit in Cyberchase.

Comedy style and public image

Gottfried was known for a shrill, instantly recognizable voice and an act built around edgy, provocative humor. His style made him a distinctive figure in American comedy.

Later years and death

Gottfried remained active in entertainment into the 2010s and early 2020s. He died in April 2022 in Manhattan after a long illness.

Key facts

  • Gottfried began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager in New York City.
  • He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1980.
  • He became widely recognized for voice roles, including Iago in Aladdin and Digit in Cyberchase.
  • He was also known for commercial voice work, including the Aflac Duck.
  • His comedy was associated with satire, insult comedy, black comedy, and blue comedy.
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Canadian context

He was widely known in Canada through American television, films, animation, and commercials that also reached Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gilbert Gottfried?
He was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and voice artist known for his distinctive voice and provocative comedic style.
What was Gilbert Gottfried best known for?
He was best known for voicing Iago in Aladdin and for being the original voice of the Aflac Duck.
When was Gilbert Gottfried born?
He was born on February 28, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York.
When did Gilbert Gottfried die?
He died on April 12, 2022, in Manhattan, New York City.
What kind of comedy was he associated with?
His work was associated with satire, insult comedy, black comedy, blue comedy, and improvisational comedy.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Gottfried
    Supports: Years active, comedy genres, and broad career details.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/gilbert-gottfried
    Supports: Birth details, career milestones, and death.
  3. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/apr/17/gilbert-gottfried-obituary
    Supports: Early life, comedy career, and death.
  4. Fandango — https://www.fandango.com/people/gilbert-gottfried-253764/biography
    Supports: Stand-up beginnings, Saturday Night Live, film roles, and voice work.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0331906/bio/
    Supports: Birth name and death details.