Gilbert Gottfried, a uniquely recognizable voice in comedy, began his career as a stand-up performer in 1970 at the young age of fifteen. For years, he carved out a space on the lunatic fringe of comedy, developing a style that was distinctly his own. In 1980, Gottfried joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live." He later remarked that his most notable distinction on the show was being the sole cast member who didn't partake in drug use with John Belushi. Throughout the early 1980s, Gottfried remained a fixture in the comedy scene. He became a regular on the short-lived "Thick of the Night" in 1983 and appeared on his friend Richard Belzer's Cinemax special in 1984. His efforts in comedy began gaining traction around 1986, when he started doing promos for MTV. His hilariously abrasive style, which he likened to Jerry Lewis imitating George Burns, was characterized by squinty grimaces and outlandish kvetching, often delivered with manic energy and a screeching voice. His jokes ran the gamut from irreverent to deliberately tasteless, often shocking audiences into laughter. In 1986, Gottfried became the spokesperson—or more accurately, the "yellman"—for an O'Henry candy bar television campaign. He unabashedly continued in the self-described role of "an unpretentious asshole," a persona he often played up in guest roles on "The Cosby Show" and "Beverly Hills Cop II," where he described his characters as "a loud, irritating Jew, which is a stretch for me." Venturing into print humor in the late '80s, he contributed to National Lampoon during a downturn in the magazine's fortunes. He found a fitting niche as the host of late-night exploitation films on USA cable television, where he would punctuate the films with sketches or acerbic rants designed to jolt any dozing viewer to attention. As the 1990s rolled in, Gottfried expanded his film career with roles in "Problem Child" and "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane," showcasing his talent for insult comedy. In contrast to the loud and intense persona he crafted for the stage, Gottfried was known off-stage as a quiet and shy individual, creating a stark dichotomy between his real life and his work. Gottfried's comedy often straddled the line between shock and humor, earning him both fans and detractors. In 1991, during the Emmy Awards, he famously deviated from the script to defend Pee Wee Herman, making jokes about masturbation that left the audience in stitches, though the Emmy producers were less amused. Whether audiences loved or hated him, Gottfried's brand of comedy left a mark. He reveled in pushing boundaries, ever ready with a humorous retort when met with silence: "Okay, now you make me laugh." Gilbert Gottfried was a comedic force, always walking the edge and inviting everyone to join him.