Gilbert Gottfried, Comedian, and ‘Aladdin’ star, dies at 67

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Gottfried is known for his crude humor and political incorrectness.

He also had a shrill voice. This helped to give life and life to many animated characters such as Iago, the parrot from Disney’s “Aladdin”, Digit, the robotic bird in PBS Kids “Cyberchase,” and Aflac ducks in commercials for the insurance company.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on February 28, 1955, Gottfried began performing stand-up comedy when he was just 15. Gottfried appeared on “Saturday Night Live” for 12 episodes in Season 6 1980. He then reunited with Eddie Murphy on “Beverly Hills Cop II,” which was one of his first major films roles. Howard Stern invited Gottfried to his radio show many times in the 1980s. He impersonated people such as Andrew “Dice”, Groucho Marx, and Bela Lugosi, Dracula.

Gottfried was a star in many films in the 1990s including “Problem Child”, “Highway to Hell”, and “Looks Who’s Talking Too” before landing the most well-known voice role as Iago, the parrot who accompanied Jafar in 1992’s “Aladdin.” Gottfried also reprised the role in two direct to video sequels to the TV series and the “Kingdom Hearts,” video games.