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Gilbert Gottfried Apologizes After Aflac Firing

Roselle Chen |
March 15, 2011 | 2:16 p.m. PDT

Senior Entertainment Editor

Gilbert Gottfried (Creative Commons/Sklathill)
Gilbert Gottfried (Creative Commons/Sklathill)
Gilbert Gottfried Tweeted an apology Tuesday for his jokes on Japan’s earthquake and tsunami after he was fired from his job at insurance company Aflac.

“I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan,” said Gottfried. “I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Gottfried was the voice of the Aflac duck in TV commercials for 11 years. He was let go from the insurance company for Tweeting over the weekend comments like:

"Japan is really advanced. They don't go to the beach. The beach comes to them."

"I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, 'There’ll be another one floating by any minute now.'"

"Japan called me. They said 'maybe those jokes are a hit in the US, but over here, they're all sinking.'"

The comments have since been deleted but not before causing backlash from his Twitter followers and Aflac, which makes over 75 percent of its profits off Japanese markets.

Michael Zuna, Aflac's senior vice president and chief marketing officer said in a statement Monday, "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."

The statement said it is looking for a new replacement for Gottfried immediately.

Joan Rivers defended Gottfried on Twitter: “That’s what comedians do!!! We react to tragedy by making jokes to help people in tough times feel better through laughter.”

This is not the first time Gottfried has faced criticism for insensitive remarks after large scale tragedies. Just days after the 9/11 attacks, Gottfried said at the Friar’s Club roast for Hugh Hefner: “I have to fly to L.A. tonight, but I can't get a direct flight: They have to make a stop at the Empire State Building."

“Too soon!” said the audience.

Japan's 2011 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, with waves of over 30 feet, happened Friday with more than 7,600 confirmed deaths, 2,500 injured and 11,700 missing in the northeastern coast of Japan. At least three nuclear reactors have melted down, causing radiation to spill out into the surrounding and outer areas. This is the strongest known earthquake to hit Japan.

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