RIP Gilbert Gottfried

So sorry to hear of the passing of Gilbert Gottfried.  I didn’t know him well but knew him a little.  What I loved most about him was that as a comedian he was fearless.  Good comics adopt a persona.  And most want (desperately) to be liked.  Gilbert created a character that was loud, abrasive, and shocking.  To adopt such a persona and win over an audience is a Herculean undertaking.  Very few can do it.  Very few try. But Gilbert pulled it off.  Why?  

He was genuinely funny.  Side-splitting at times.  

And suddenly the annoying voice and odd mannerisms all worked in his favor.   Go to a comedy club today.  Fifteen comics who all do essentially the same act or someone else’s act.  

Not Gilbert.  He was an original.

What most people don’t know is that that was just a character.  Offstage he tended to be quiet and mouse-like.  Just a very easygoing sweet guy.  I directed him on BECKER and my one note to him (that I had to give him several times) was “Be more ‘Gilbert’.”  

For the last few years Gilbert had one of the most successful podcasts on the net.  Along with his excellent cohost, Frank Santopadre, he discussed comedy with various big name entertainers.  He must’ve run out of them because a couple of years ago I was his guest.   You listen to that episode and see yet another side of Gilbert.  He was a great laugher.  Lots of comedians are so insecure they’re threatened by anyone else who says something funny.  Not Gilbert.  He liked to be entertained as much as being an entertainment.   He was genuinely supportive and appreciative of other people’s talents.  

We need more fearless comics, especially today.   The more we take ourselves seriously the more we need someone like Gilbert Gottfried.  We all will miss him. He was only 67.  To answer the immortal comics’ question:  YES.  Too soon. 


from By Ken Levine