Gilbert Gottfried Fired As (and Apparently Was) Aflac Duck

Comedian fired over tweets about tragedy in Japan; search is on for a new duck

Gilbert Gottfried has been fired as the voice of the Aflac duck for tweeting jokes about the earthquake in Japan.

(Also, Gottfried apparently has been the voice of the duck for almost 11 years. Who knew?)

"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,” Aflac senior vice president and chief marketing officer Michael Zuna said. “Aflac Japan – and, by extension, Japan itself – is part of the Aflac family, and there is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times.”

 

A nationwide casting call is on for a new duck, which may not be that difficult since an Aflac rep said many people — not just us — had no idea he was the voice in the first place.

"It should be noted," Aflac added in a statement, "that Gilbert Gottfried is not the voice of the Aflac Duck in Japan.

Duly noted.

Also, auditions to be the new duck should not end with anyone yelling, "The Aristocrats!"

Comments