Gilbert Gottfried, the veteran comedian and the former cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” recently passed away at the age of 67. The long-tenured UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who has been a huge fan of the comedian, recently reacted to the news. Rogan took to his Instagram account and shared a picture with him from the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Here is what his caption read:
“Gilbert was a brilliant comedian, and a pleasure to be around. I feel very fortunate to have been able to spend time with him. Universally loved and respected by fellow stand ups. He was a rare and exceptional individual. He will be greatly missed.”
Rogan had Gottfried on his podcast last November, where the two talked for about three hours. The start of the podcast saw the revelation of the fact that the two had never met before the podcast. During the whole podcast, the two had a great conversation as they talked and laughed about things happening around the people and the world.
He also reached what would normally be considered the pinnacle for American comic actors by getting named to the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1980, but the new cast received negative ovation from the audience, having replaced highly popular players such as John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Bill Murray.
Gottfried said he could not enjoy the experience, telling interviewer Joe Rogan last year that he felt like a “sacrificial lamb.” “You don’t want to be the replacement,” Gottfried said. “You want to be the replacement of the replacement.”
The news of Gottfried’s death was broken by his family. It was revealed that he suffered a long, unspecified illness as per the family statement.
“In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children,” the statement said. “Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 12, 2022
