Gilbert Gottfried death: Hollywood mourns late comedian

A man in a suit smirks and squints in the sun with his arms wide open.

By Nardine SaadStaff Writer

April 12, 2022 Updated 3:53 PM PT

Gilbert Gottfried, whose distinctive voice and acerbic style made him a comedy legend, was the subject of numerous fan and friend tributes Tuesday after news of his death at age 67.

“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 [wife] Dara and his family,” tweeted director Judd Apatow.

“the funniest person I’ve ever known. There will never be another like him. RIP Gilbert Gottfried,” wrote comedy writer Matt Oswalt.

“#GilbertGottfried was fearlessly funny! An icon! And still young!” tweeted celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

“Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily,” added “Seinfeld” alum Jason Alexander. “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.”

Gottfried’s death comes during a harrowing year in comedy that already claimed the lives of comics Bob Saget and Louie Anderson in January. A photo Gottfried posted that month, featuring Saget taking a selfie with Gottfried and Anderson, made the rounds Tuesday on Twitter as people collectively mourned the trio.

“Gilbert would be the first one to make a joke about this picture today. The first. And he would not hold back,” tweeted comedian Kathy Griffin.

“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,” added “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actor Lydia Cornell.

“This photo is every 90s kid childhood and they are all gone now,” a fan replied Tuesday on Gottfried’s original Instagram post.

“2022 has been a rough year for comedy. RIP Gilbert Gottfried,” tweeted another.

“Bob Saget and Louie Anderson and Gilbert Gottfried. The world is much unfunnier since the start of this year,” added Sirius XM host Eric Alper.

“Gilbert Gottfried will be cracking up the angels with these two. Wow,” tweeted another user.

Another Twitter user posted an image from Disney’s 1992 animated film “Aladdin” that featured the characters Genie and Iago. They were voiced by the late Robin Williams and Gottfried, respectively: “They’re together again. RIP Gilbert Gottfried,” the tweet said.

“I’m just heartbroken about Gilbert Gottfried’s passing,” tweeted “Aladdin” composer Alan Menken. “I had no idea he was battling an illness. He was a treasure; a hilarious, deeply feeling, mensch of a man.”

“Posting this to laugh while I cry,” tweeted journalist Joy-Ann Reid, who posted a video of herself interviewing the late comic. “That time I got to Gilbert Gottfried with Gilbert Gottfried at COMICON, back in the #AMJoy days. What a great and funny guy. Rest in peace and deepest condolences to his family.”

“Rip Gilbert Gottfried, a brilliant comedian and just the sweetest guy. We worked together on ‘Goosed.’ Everybody adored him,” tweeted actor Jennifer Tilly.

“I am so sad to read about the passing of Gilbert Gottfried. Funny, politically incorrect but a softie on the inside. We met many times; he even pranked me on a plane, replacing my interpreter @655Jack (they’re like twins). Sending love to Dara & his children,” added “CODA” star Marlee Matlin.

“Oh!! What a unique and awesome comedian, actor you were! Always captured my attention. Rest well!” wrote Oscar winner Viola Davis.

“Family Guy” star Seth MacFarlane posted a clip from their time working on the 2014 comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” writing: “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.”

Comedian Bill Burr, like many, tweeted about one of his favorite Gottfried routines: “First time I saw him live he did his Jackie Kennedy bit: ‘Jackie do you remember where you were…’ in front of drunk Bruins fans at Nicks. #RIPGilbertGottfried”

“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,” wrote late-night TV star Conan O’Brien. “So sorry to lose this sweet and delightfully funny man.”

“Gilbert, I don’t want to believe this. I loved him. I’m heartbroken for his beautiful family. Say it ain’t so,” tweeted “Curb” star Richard Lewis. ”For almost 40 years his spectacular comedy blew me away. You can’t be funnier. My God, all who experienced him are crushed. Say it ain’t so.”

Notably, several people posted an expletive-laden clip from the documentary “The Aristocrats,” during which comics raved about Gottfried’s delivery of the vaudeville era “Aristocrats” joke at the roast of Hugh Hefner weeks after Sept. 11. The comic made the joke — and killed — after being booed moments earlier for quipping about the national tragedy.

Actor-comedian Tom Green shared a photo he took with Gottfried: “Sad to hear of the passing of the groundbreaking and legendary Gilbert Gottfried. Here was the last time I saw you in Miami. My condolences to the family and friends of this genius comic, artist, and provocateur. Comedy mourns tonight. #comedy.”

The account run by John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” re-upped a clip of Gottfried appearing on the HBO program: “Gilbert Gottfried was the best. We once decided to punish UK audiences for their law prohibiting the use of parliamentary footage in comedy programs, by having him read Brexit legalese and Bigfoot erotica. Stick around till he gets to the erotica.”

“The @RealGilbertACP podcast was one of the only shows I came back to week after week. Insanely funny showbiz stories and fantastic classic movie recs (Gilbert’s constant praising of CROSSING DELANCEY and THE SWIMMER reeled me in!) A huge loss for showbiz obsessed weirdos, tweeted Conor Sullivan.

Here’s a look at some of the reactions to Gottfried’s death from Hollywood and beyond: