Gilbert Gottfried, Voice Actor In Aladdin Dies Of Rare Genetic Muscle Disease

Gilbert Gottfried (Twitter @RealGilbert)

JAKARTA - Actor and comedian Gilbert Gottfried died on Tuesday, April 12, United States time. The actor's family took to social media to say that he died at the age of 67.

“We announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. As an iconic voice actor in comedy, Gilbert was a great husband, brother, friend, and father to his two children," the family said in a statement.

"Even though today is a sad day for us, let's laugh as loud as we can as a tribute to Gilbert," he concluded.

Reportedly, Gottfried died after suffering from a rare genetic muscle disease that can trigger abnormal heart rhythms due to type 2 myotonic dystrophy.

Gilbert Gottfried has provided voice and comedian for a number of documentaries and films. But Disney's 1992 animated film Aladdin is the most iconic. He voiced Iago in the film.

He again voiced Iago for the sequel Aladdin 2: The Return of Jafar, the 1994 series Aladdin, and the early 2000s House of Mouse. Gottfried also joined as a comedian on Saturday Night Live.

In 2017, the 1955-born actor became the subject of the Gilbert film documentary that was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, he has also played in the films Hannah Montana, Sesame Street, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Fairly OddParents, Ren and Stimpy, SpongeBob SquarePants, Doctor Dolittle, and others.

Towards the end of his life, Gilbert Gottfried was still performing as a comedian at the Paradise Theatre. His last tweet discussed the events of Will Smith and Chris Rock.

“What is the worst crime? Chris Rock was physically attacked or Chris was talking a joke?” wrote Gilbert Gottfried.

Gilbert Gottfried is survived by a wife and two children.