Comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who was recently fired as the voice actor of the Aflac duck, apologized for his jokes about Japan’s earthquake and tsunami today.
“I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Gottfried had been the voice actor for the Aflac Duck for the past decade, but after he made some insensitive jokes about the current tragedy in Japan, Aflac fired Gottfried on Monday. Aflac stated that “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.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the insurance company Aflac makes 75% of its revenue in Japan.
While Gottfried makes amends, Joan Rivers and Howard Stern defend the comedian, noted The Hollywood Reporter. Both Rivers and Stern commented that Gottfried was just being a comedian and that there was no need for the actor to get fired. “That’s what comedians do!!! We react to tragedy by making jokes to help people in tough times feel better through laughter,” voiced Rivers.
“I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Gottfried had been the voice actor for the Aflac Duck for the past decade, but after he made some insensitive jokes about the current tragedy in Japan, Aflac fired Gottfried on Monday. Aflac stated that “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.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the insurance company Aflac makes 75% of its revenue in Japan.
While Gottfried makes amends, Joan Rivers and Howard Stern defend the comedian, noted The Hollywood Reporter. Both Rivers and Stern commented that Gottfried was just being a comedian and that there was no need for the actor to get fired. “That’s what comedians do!!! We react to tragedy by making jokes to help people in tough times feel better through laughter,” voiced Rivers.
