Gilbert Gottfried's selfie with Bob Saget, Louie Anderson goes viral after his death
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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."
Damn. Rest in peace, Gilbert Gottfried. Aladdin is one of my all time favorite movies. We lost Genie and Iago way too early.
— Omni ☕️ (@InfernoOmni) April 12, 2022
Worked with Gilbert Gottfried way back on the Aladdin series and various sequels. Always a salty delight. I forget what he was responding to, but one day he said, “Cartoons are a dirty business.” Still quote him with a bad imitation whenever that line seems to fit a bad news day.
— Schooley (@Rschooley) April 12, 2022
Gilbert Gottfried to me was not only known for Iago in Aladdin and Mr. Peabody in Problem Child movies, but he was also the host of one of my greatest shows in my childhood as the co-host of USA Up All Night. Rest In Power.
— Matt That Blk Wrestling Dude🇺🇸 🇺🇦✊🏿 (@BWDBlackWrestl1) April 12, 2022
"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.
Gilbert Gottfried's virtuoso take on The Aristocrats, done at a roast without a net at a very difficult time, is one of the most remarkable moments in comedy. He was truly a unique talent. May his memory be a blessing.
— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) April 12, 2022
Gilbert Gottfried's roast of Hugh Hefner in 2001 was perhaps the most iconic, daring 5 minutes of comedy that I have ever seen.
— John Lurie (@lurie_john) April 12, 2022
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:
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
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
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
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
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
RIP Gilbert. He brought so much joy to me and so many others. So, so funny.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) 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
I made Gilbert Gottfried laugh hard once. I've carried that around as a private badge of honor for years.
As a child of the 80s, he was always one of my late night heroes. No matter what thing he did, he was always also the Up All Night guy to me.
He will ABSOLUTELY be missed.— C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) 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
Thank you Gilbert Gottfried for when you helped us troll an entire legion of Slipknot fans. One of the greatest comics and most iconic voices of all time. RIP you beautiful savage
— Loudwire (@Loudwire) April 12, 2022
RIP Gilbert Gottfried
I’m so sorry we did not have that last dinner
You were delightful— Treat Williams (@Rtreatwilliams) April 12, 2022
Hotel managers from all over the country will be going to Gilbert’s funeral with the hopes of getting their soaps and shampoos back.
RIP Gilbert, you were loved by every comic.— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) April 12, 2022
So sad to hear of Gilbert Gottfried’s passing. He joined me in the booth a few years ago. Saw the strikeout sign in LF with 3 SOs posted. Screamed out, “Why does it say KKK out there? What the heck kind of a joint did you bring me to!” One of the greats. I was a big fan. RIP.
— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) April 12, 2022
There is so much to say and I can't find a single word. I'm devastated to hear about Gilbert Gottfried's death. He was unique and brilliant. Just gutted. #RIPGilbert
— Curtis Armstrong (@curtisisbooger) April 12, 2022
Norm. Saget. And now Gilbert Gottfried.
Sometimes it feels like all of the funny in the world is going away. Rest in peace to an underrated legend.— Das Food (@DasFoodGaming) April 12, 2022
When comedians turned to Zoom, I had the privilege of helping Gilbert Gottfried & his wife Dara set up his lights and green screen - to perform a new version of an art he'd mastered before I was even born.
A kind man. An excellent comic. A memory I treasure.
He will be missed.— Steve Hofstetter (@SteveHofstetter) April 12, 2022
RIP Gilbert Gottfried.
You voiced some iconic characters from my childhood, had a lot of funny memes, and also bring up a fond memory of playing a VN with my homies. You were a legend.— Noble (@Lost_Pause_) April 12, 2022
Gilbert Gottfried died. Just a few months ago, I was listening to his radio show where he was interviewing Dick Van Dyke and they were singing put on a happy face and it made me smile. Rest in peace.
— Dave Matt (@davematt88) April 12, 2022
Gilbert Gottfried is one loss I'm definitely gonna feel for a good while.
— Toon4Thought #NewDeal4Animation (@Toon4Thought) April 12, 2022
Man, losing Norm MacDonald, Bob Saget and Gilbert Gottfried in six months. Feels like a generational loss
— Todd in the Shadows (@ShadowTodd) April 12, 2022
I saw Gilbert Gottfried do standup at Carolines and it was the only time in my life that I laughed so hard that I was literally in pain and I couldn't catch my breath
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) April 12, 2022
Times intern Kristina Garcia contributed to this post.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.