Gilbert Gottfried Fired as AFLAC Duck After Making Japan Jokes

USMagazine, Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 6:20am (PDT)

Gottfried got fired.

Comic Gilbert Gottfried will no longer be the voice of the Aflac duck -- effective immediately, CNN reports.

The insurance company fired Gottfried, 56, on Monday after he made a slew of jokes via Twitter about the tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

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"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," said Aflac senior vice-president Michael Zunda.

Among Gottfried's weekend Tweets, which have since been taken down:

"Japan called me. They said 'maybe those jokes are a hit in the U.S., but over here, they're all sinking.'" Another: "I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said 'is there a school in this area.' She said 'not now, but just wait.'"

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Added Aflac's Zunda: "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."

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Gottfried has voiced the famous Aflac duck for over ten years.

If you'd like to help the thousands affected by the disaster in Japan, tex REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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