Although a master comedian can spend a lifetime bringing joy into other people’s lives, those in that business will often tell you that their drive to make the world brighter and funnier is often informed by some serious personal struggles.
As Robin Williams was quoted as saying , “‘I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anybody else to feel like that.”
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And while comedians like Bob Saget have attributed comedy to saving their lives , others like Gilbert Gottfried and Norm MacDonald seemed to prefer facing a fate they knew would claim them soon with a mirthful spirit that assured their fans everything was OK.
A recently unearthed video has made that particularly clear in the case of Gottfried, who brought the laughs as hard as ever while facing the end of a private battle with a rare and devastating condition .
On April 12, Gottfried’s family confirmed via Twitter that he had passed away at the age of 67.
As their statement said , “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.”
Gottfried’s death came after a long bout with type two Myotonic dystrophy, a debilitating and genetic muscle disease that’s a subtype of muscular dystrophy.
Research has shown that this multi-systemic illness often affects the heart and is known to cause arrhythmia and congestive heart failure.
In Gottfried’s case, it caused an abnormal rhythm in the lower chambers of his heart.
But he never let this stand in the way of making people laugh and that indomitable spirit was honored by fellow comedian Jeff Ross (not pictured), who delivered his eulogy.
According to People , he said , “50 years in show business, 50 years! He went on stage as a teenager and he never stopped. He was supposed to do a show last week. This man has been making people laugh for half a century. What a mitzvah. What a mission in life. What a purpose to have in this world.”
And in a video uploaded to his Twitter account on May 4, Gottfried proved that he was committed to that purpose right up until his final hours as he recorded his final episode of Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast .
This final recording featured veteran actress Brenda Vaccaro and saw Gottfried delight her with an impression of film legend James Mason.
Although the clip is short, it displayed Gottfried’s talent for imitating the late actor’s sophisticated manner of speaking as he complained about needing a job.
Not only did Vaccaro find the impression hilarious and impressive, but his co-hosts also marvelled at what a mimic he could be.
He would be hospitalized for the final time hours later.
h/t: People
