Actor and legendary comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died at the age of 67 after battling a long illness, his family said in a statement shared on his Twitter handle. 

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. 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,” his family wrote.

Also Read: Gilbert Gottfried’s photo with Bob Saget, Louie Anderson goes viral after comedian’s death

His publicist and longtime friend Glenn Schwartz said in a statement that he died on Tuesday afternoon from recurrent ventricular tachycardia due to myotonic dystrophy type II, which is a disorder that affects the heart.

“Gilbert’s brand of humor was brash, shocking and frequently offensive, but the man behind the jokes was anything but,” Gottfried’s friend and podcast co-host Frank Santopadre said in a statement.

“Those who loved and him were fortunate enough to share his orbit knew a person who was sweet, sensitive, surprisingly shy and filled with a childlike sense of playfulness and wonder.”

Gilbert Gottfried family- 

Gilbert Gottfried is survived by his wife, Dara Gottfried and his two kids, Lily Aster Gottfried, Max Aaron Gottfried.

Dara has reportedly worked as a music industry executive in the past. She was also an executive producer on “Gilbert Gottfried: Dirty Jokes” in 2005.

Also Read: Britney Spears is pregnant with her third child; First baby with fiancé Sam Asghari

Dara and Gottfried met in the 1990s during Grammy Awards and started dating. However, they tied the knot only in February 2007. They have kept their relationship very private. 

“The public wants to know your bank account number, your Social Security and PIN code too. I can’t peek my head into a women’s changing room and go, ‘Well, I want to know, and I’m curious about this,’” Gottfried once said explaining his decision to not speak about his personal life. 

Also Read: Bob Saget’s wife Kelly Rizzo recalls final conversation with late husband

The couple welcomed a daughter named Lily in 2009 and two years later, they welcomed Max, who is now 12.

Gilbert Gottfried –

The comedian had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death.