Gilbert Gottfried

Gottfried in 2008, Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Date of Birth: February 28, 1955

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: April 12, 2022

Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Gilbert Gottfried was an American stand-up comedian and actor. Known for his distinctive voice, his work included the film Problem Child, voice roles in Aladdin (1992), as Iago, the series Cyberchase and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and as the Aflac Duck, and the podcast Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast. He was a cast member on the show Saturday Night Live.

Gilbert was the son of Lillian and Max Gottfried. His father was a Polish Jewish emigrant, from Galicia, who came to the U.S. in 1912. His mother was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents. His sister was New York Street photographer Arlene Gottfried.

Gilbert was married to Dara Kravitz, until his death, with whom he had two children. Dara is also Jewish.

Gilbert’s paternal grandfather was named Abraham Gottfried.

Gilbert’s paternal grandmother was named Esther Frey.

Gilbert’s maternal grandfather was Charles Zimmerman (the son of Louis Zimmerman and Minnie Vert).

Gilbert’s maternal grandmother was Minnie Worthman (the daughter of Fischel/Fishel “Philip” Worthman and Anya/Amiel Needleman/Nudleman). Minnie was born in Odessa.

Sources: Interviews about Gilbert’s Jewish upbringing – http://www.jewishjournal.com
https://www.jta.org

Information about Gilbert’s family history (mentioning Gilbert’s sister, Arlene) – http://www.seniorsmatter.com

Genealogy of Gilbert Gottfried (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Gilbert’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Gilbert’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Gilbert’s maternal grandparents, Charles Zimmerman and Minnie Worthman – https://www.familysearch.org