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Summary
Aflac , a prominent American insurance company , is widely recognize for its iconic mascot , the Aflac Duck , which was voiced by the iconicGilbert Gottfriedbefore he was fired in 2011 . Introduced in 2000 , the Aflac Duck quickly became a beloved symbolization of the brand name , cognize for its flashy quacking of the company ’s name in a classifiable , humorous representative . The mascot help Aflac demonstrate a alone indistinguishability and significantly boost its securities industry presence , making the duck an integral part of the company ’s advert campaigns .
Thoughnot Gilbert Gottfried ’s veridical vox , the comic was famous for his distinctive spokesperson and highly strung humor . He was the original voice behind the Aflac Duck . Known for his work in tolerate - up comedy , film , and television , the former Gottfried bring a unequalled appeal to the duck , making it even more memorable . His career , characterized by a portmanteau of acuate wit and boundary - pushing jokes , made him a sodding fit for the quirky mascot . However , a serial of controversial tweet in 2011 led to Gottfried ’s abrupt termination from this role , marking a pregnant moment in his career and the Aflac Duck ’s history .
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Gilbert Gottfried Was Fired As The Aflac Duck Voice For Offensive Tweets About The 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami
75% Of Aflac’s Business Is Done In Japan
In March 2011 , Japan was devastated by a ruinous earthquake and tsunami , ensue in extensive passing of life and far-flung destruction . The raw disaster , which appraise 9.0 on the Richter weighing machine , touch off a massive tsunami that wipe out coastal towns and caused a atomic crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant life . The disaster claimed almost 20,000 lives ( viaNCEI ) , left 1000 miss , and cause long - lasting environmental and economic damage .
During this trying period , Gilbert Gottfried mail a serial of violative tweets about the tragedy , cause light of the situation with crude jocularity . One of Gottfried ’s tweet read , “ Japan is really advanced . They do n’t go to the beach . The beach come to them . ” This was just one of12 insensitive jokes that the comedian tweeted , which were met with quick backlash from the public . Gottfried ’s effort at humor were see as calloused and inappropriate .
The comedian has a contentious history with Twitter , asGottfried ’s Twitter account was hackedhours after his last .
Aflac , which does approximately 75 % of its concern in Japan , fleetly responded to the disputation . The company condemned Gottfried ’s remark , posit that they did not adjust with Aflac ’s values . Aflac announced that they had can Gottfried ’s contract bridge . Aflac ’s senior vice president , Michael Zuna , explain that the decision was made to maintain the company ’s report and respect for the victims of the calamity . Zuna submit ( viaCNN ):
Outside ofGottfried ’s iconic movie performances , the comic was considerably fuck for voicing the Aflac duck . However , despite Gottfried issuing a public apologyand acknowledge his erroneousness in judgement , the equipment casualty to his relationship with Aflac was irreparable . The incident underscored the fine rail line comedians must voyage between edgy liquid body substance and insensitivity , particularly during times of tragedy . On March 15 , 2011 , Gottfried responded ( viaTHR ):
“ I sincerely yours apologize to anyone who was go against by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan . I meant no disrespect , and my cerebration are with the victims and their house . ”
Disney animator Eric Goldberg bring out that Gilbert Gottfried think Aladdin would be terrible and would flop like another Disney musical .
Daniel McKeague Replaced Gottfried As The Aflac Duck Voice
" We thought he was the best by far . I ca n’t explain to you why . It just was . Maybe it is part of the mystique of the Aflac duck . "
McKeague ’s carrying out maintained the humorous and distinctive quacking that characterized the Aflac Duck , allowing the brand to move frontward without lose its intimate touch .
McKeague ’s performance maintained the humorous and distinctive quacking that characterized the Aflac Duck , allow the brand to move forward without losing its conversant speck . His power to entrance the essence of the theatrical role guarantee that the mascot remained a beloved figure in Aflac ’s advertising campaigns . As of now , Daniel McKeague continues to voice the Aflac Duck , successfully sustain the mascot ’s legacy following the firing ofGilbert Gottfried .
Custom image by Stephen Barker
Sources : NCEI , CNN , THR , THR , Jacksonville
Legendary comic Gilbert Gottfried might be best known for voicing Iago in Disney ’s Aladdin , but his molding actually helped deepen the role .
