Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried died on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 67. According to his publicist, the cause of death was ventricular tachycardia due to Type II muscular dystrophy.

Gottfried’s death was announced by his family via a Twitter posting that read: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness.

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.”

Since first appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1980, Gottfried carved out a rollicking career with his offbeat, sometimes vulgar humor and inimitable, unique Borscht Belt voice that made him an iconic figure in the comedic realm. He later appeared with SNL’s Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop II, and had roles in such films as Problem Child, Look Who’s Talking II, and The Aristocrats. In addition, he was renowned for voiceover work in Disney’s Aladdin, where he voiced the parrot Iago, as well as many television cartoons, and for his popular Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast. The 5’5” comedian was also featured in Comedy Central’s 2004 episode of Shorties Watchin’ Shorties

Gottfried was born in on February 28, 1955, where he lived over the family’s hardware store. While still a teenager, he started doing stand-up comedy at various New York clubs..

His last appearance was on January 10, when he was a guest star on the season finale of Smiling Friends.