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BY ANGELA DAIDONE
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The Aflac spokesduck is presently without a voice.
The insurance giant has canned Gilbert Gottfried, who voices the duck in commercials, after the comedian made tasteless jokes on Twitter about the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
According to several news and wire reports, Gottfried posted comments like this over the weekend: “I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, ‘They’ll be another one floating by any minute now.'" Other remarks, the report said, were of a sexual nature.
Michael Zuna, a senior VP and chief marketing officer for the company, said that Gilbert’s comment about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and do not represent Aflac’s sentiments about the crisis.
The company does about 70 percent of its business in Japan and has donated about $1.2 million to international relief efforts, the Associated Press reported.
Gottfried is apparently not new to controversy. According to the New York Times, three weeks after 9/11 attacks, he made light of the tragedy at a Friars Club roast for the founder of Playboy, Hugh Hefner, prompting boos from audience members.
Aflac announced it is conducting a nationwide search for a new actor to play its beloved duck.
Gottfried, 56, is a native of Brooklyn. In addition to stand-up routines and other voice acting performances, he has been the voice of the Aflac duck since 2000.
