Jeff Ross, Gilbert Gottfried, and Kelly Rizzo Shutterstock(3)
Saying goodbye. Gilbert Gottfried‘s family and friends paid their respects to the late comedian during an emotional funeral service two days after his death.
The Aladdin voice actor, who died earlier this week at age 67, was laid to rest on Thursday, April 14, after a ceremony held in NYC’s Upper West Side neighborhood. Plenty of Gottfried’s friends colleagues were on hand for the solemn event, including Jeff Ross, Susie Essman, Mario Cantone, Colin Quinn, Paul Shaffer and Dave Attell.
Ross, 56, gave a eulogy to the deceased. Problem ChildActor, who died from recurrent heartbeat tachycardia, a condition that results in the genetic muscular disorder myotonic dystrophy type 2. “What a mission in life, what a purpose to have in this world,” the New Jersey native said in his speech, according to Page Six. “And he wasn’t just regular funny — he was hilarious.”
The former Sneaky Pete star also gave a shout-out to Gottfried’s wife, Dara Kravitz, and their two children, daughter Lily, 14 and son Max 12, respectively. “[He is] survived by his wife, and sister, two great kids and over 12,000 little bottles of shampoo,” Ross joked.
Gottfried’s family announced his death in a statement shared via social media on Tuesday, April 12. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness,” they wrote. “In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor.”
Kravitz (52), spoke at the funeral for her husband. She also highlighted Ross’s unmatched sense of humor.
“I loved his heart and soul,” she said. “His jokes were dirty, but his heart was so pure.”
The producer also remembered her first encounter with the actor at a Grammys party in New York City’s Tavern on the Green in 1997. “I was there because I was in the music business, and he was there for the free food,” she recalled. “Some food fell off my plate and Gilbert picked it up and put it on his plate. I thought it was a bit odd, but I’ve always been a bit attracted to odd people.”
Gottfried’s funeral was also attended by Bob Saget‘s widow, Kelly RizzoAubrey, Jennifer and Lara are Aubrey’s daughters, 35, 29, and 32 respectively.
Shortly thereafter, Full House alum’s death in January at age 65, Gottfried shared a photo of himself with Saget and Louie Anderson, who had also died in January. “This photo is very sad now,” the AristocratsStar wrote the following via Instagram at that time. “RIP Bob Saget and RIP Louie Anderson. Both good friends that will be missed.”
