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Disney’s Beloved Iago, Gilbert Gottfried, Passes Away

gilbert-gottfried-iago

Any fans of Disney’s classic animated movie Aladdin (1994) will recognize the distinctive voice of Jafar’s comedic sidekick villain Iago.

The Disney bird was voiced by comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who has today, April 12, sadly passed away at the age of 67. The Gottfried family revealed the sad news on the actor’s official social media pages:

The family’s statement reads:

“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. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”

Born in Brooklyn, New York on February 28, 1955, Gilbert Gottfried was a popular comedian famous for his distinctive voice. Gilbert’s career spans back to the 1970s when he was a Cast Member on the comedy television series Saturday Night Live. After starring in The Cosby Show in the 1980s, Gilbert was a hit in Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), where he played business manager Sidney Bernstein.

Gottfried was known for his crude humor and iconic voice, which helped bring many animated characters to life on screen, including Iago the parrot in Disney’s Aladdin and the Aflac duck in the insurance company’s television commercials.

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Credit: Gottfried

The Hollywood actor had a long-term illness, with Glenn Schwartz, Gottfried’s longtime friend and publicist, revealing that Gottfried suffered from Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.

The news comes after the sudden death of Gottfried’s friend and fellow comedian, Bob Saget, back in January. Gilbert Gottfried shared this heartbreaking image on January 21, writing:

This photo is very sad now. RIP Bob Saget and RIP Louie Anderson. Both good friends that will be missed.

The photo has now become ever sadder, with the world now missing all three comedians. Our thoughts are with Gottfried’s family at this time.

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book