Trivia

When doing standup, he used to keep his eyes squinted shut out of nervousness. This later became a trademark of his.

Once bumped into Harrison Ford backstage at "The Tonight Show", who complimented his work in The Aristocrats (2005); Gottfried jokingly replied, "And you are?". Ford was not amused.

Married for the first time at age 51.

Was the voice of the AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance Company) duck until he was fired after tweeting controversial jokes about the 2011 tsunami in Japan [March 14, 2011]. He also voiced a goose in Jack and the Beanstalk (2009).

When Microsoft came out with XP and decided to discontinue Clippy, the paperclip office assistant, they did a series of online clips about Clippy's reaction to this. Gilbert provided Clippy's voice.

Frequently names Iago as his favorite role.

The only actor to appear in all three Problem Child (1990) films, as well as the accompanying animated series.

Once opened for a The Go-Go's concert. His R-rated act was not a big hit with the audience, the majority of which was made up of teenage girls. Even Gottfried was surprised he was booked that night. and joked about it on the Howard Stern radio show.

Although he has a notoriously raunchy, X-rated stand-up act, he is probably best known for his family-oriented roles as Iago the parrot in the Aladdin films and TV series and Mr. Peabody in the "Problem Child" films and TV series.

Known for his impersonations of Bela Lugosi, Jerry Seinfeld, Artie Lange, an older Groucho Marx, Patrick Swayze and Andrew Dice Clay, two of which (Lugosi and Clay) have become the characters "Dracula Gottfried" and "Dice Gottfried".

Met his wife at a Grammy Awards party.

His favorite actor is Lon Chaney Jr..

The documentary film "Gilbert" shows that he helped his older sister, photographer Arlene Gottfried, through chemotherapy. This is why he did not make any social media statement about her death.

In 2015, Gilbert Gottfried for "USA Up All Night", was inducted into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame".

He is the son of Lillian and Max Gottfried. Brother of photographer Arlene Gottfried. His father was a Polish Jewish immigrant. His mother was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Frequent guest on The Howard Stern Radio Show (1998), has had more appearances than any other celebrity.

Was considered for the role of Balki Bartokomous in Perfect Strangers (1986).

In 2022, Gilbert Gottfried was inducted into the 2021 The Monster Kid Hall of Fame in the 20th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.

Part of a kind of club of celebrities who have portrayed puppets on Comedy Central's show Crank Yankers (2002).

Surname is pronounced "got-freed".

Was a member of the "resident cast of zanies" on Alan Thicke's infamous talk show "Thicke of the Night" (1983). Though both he and Thicke found it to be an unpleasant, embarrassing experience, they remained friendly afterwards, appearing together on the sitcom "Hope & Gloria" (1995), the reality shows "Celebrity Wife Swap" (2012) and "Unbelievably Thicke" and on "Gottfried's Amazing Collosal Podcast".

Lives in an apartment in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.

He was cremated after his funeral at Riverside Memorial Chapel. His urn was buried at Kenisco Cemetery in its Sharon Gardens section due to being of Jewish faith during his lifetime.

The character he created was originally named "Murray Abramowitz" and took the credit for Al Jolson's career, among others. He debuted the character on the stage at the Original Improvisation in New York City alongside fellow comedian Joe Piscopo.

Attended the private funeral service of actor Abe Vigoda in 2016.

Peformed at Eric Trump's charity golf tournament for free in 2014.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 189-190. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387