Gilbert Gottfried Fired as AFLAC Duck After Making Japan Jokes
Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Gottfried got fired.
Comic Gilbert Gottfried will no longer be the voice of the Aflac duck -- effective immediately, CNN reports.
The insurance company fired Gottfried, 56, on Monday after he made a slew of jokes via Twitter about the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
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"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac," said Aflac senior vice-president Michael Zunda.
Among Gottfried's weekend Tweets, which have since been taken down:
"Japan called me. They said 'maybe those jokes are a hit in the U.S., but over here, they're all sinking.'" Another: "I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said 'is there a school in this area.' She said 'not now, but just wait.'"
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Added Aflac's Zunda: "Aflac Japan -- and, by extension, Japan itself -- is part of the Aflac family, and there is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times."
Gottfried has voiced the famous Aflac duck for over ten years.
If you'd like to help the thousands affected by the disaster in Japan, text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Tell Us What You Think
23How many people want to be that duck anyway, they ought to fire the one that fired him and give the job ti him.
Oxza- I didn't spell your name right on purpose genius. Fvck off. Oxcema sucks on it. Get it? Dumb a$$.
No you jump in the ocean and drown for me please. And you don't know how to spell my name stupid retard!
Oxzema Suxanit- you don't know me from Eve, so to call me stupid is just ignorant on your part. Go jump in the ocean.
Qu Man- you need to take the thumb out of your mouth, stop being so PC and shut the fvck up.
Boy I see more very heartless stupid people on this board too hi Rob Billeaud, Mark Brungard,John Randall, David Barker Sr, Kim Worsham Horton
Laughter is the best medicine. When we joke about things we point out how ridiculous they are, whether it be ridiculously inept, ridiculously ironic, or in this case- ridiculously sad. Humor softens the blows of life, "f@*$!'em if they can't take a joke".
Ruin Finished Want to be my Sarah Palin impersonator, Gilbert? You are just like Sarah Palin, Tweeting without thinking. Do we give Gilbert a second chance at fame by asking him to pose as Sarah Palin for our sequel to the book on Sarah? Thomas Chi Publisher PresidentSarah.Net
It's their money, and if the guy is costing them money, I guess they gotta do what they gotta do, but to me personally, I think it's going a little overboard. Tasteless? Yeah, probably, but who says stand up comedians always stay within the bounds of good taste - just look at Kathy Griffin. I can't stand Gilbert Gottfried, the guy drives me nuts, but in my opinion, I'd cut the guy a little slack.
if the person they hire to replace him sounds the least like him he should sue for copyright infringment. The voice is his trademark.
Actually Eric, they did give us money for Katrina. Google it, idiot.
Gilbert Gottfried got just what he deserved he got fried,,see how you like it Gil!
With a little education of the company he worked for, he would have known 75% of aflacs global business comes from Japan! Very uncalled for comments!
you should be ashamed. people in tragedy are not a joke. put yourself in their shoes. comedian or not there are tons of other things to joke about. use your head man, not your mouth
um yeah
Glad Gilbert got fired. People should show compassion in times like this. Obviously some people who make jokes and laughs at it has no heart to begin with.
Political correctness gone stupid again, they ought to fire the people that fired him.
If anyone ever heard Gilbert's act they would know he is an off the cuff and sarcastic comic. Way to go Gilbert !!!! Although, the situation in Japan is HORRIFIC, I didn't see TOKEYO running to the aide of NEW ORLEANS after KATRINA hit. Isn't Japan one of the wealthiest countries in the world ??? Come on they need my $10.00 ??? PLEASE ????
@Kim Worsham Horton So you're telling me it's okay to laugh at other people's misfortune? You're saying that it's okay to laugh at other people's expense in a tragedy like this? Put yourself in not only the people of Japan, but Haiti, New Orleans or any other places that had atural disasters, and you tell me that It's Gilbert Gottfried! I'm proud to say that you're an idiot and hope that people will make jokes at your expense for the rest of your life because you obviously think people in tragic situations are a joke to you.
I always thought Gilbert Gottfried reminded me of my dad.