Sunday Standup Comedy Showcase: Gilbert Gottfried on the Inspiration for Moby Dick

Some of the best standup comedy was on TV shows and comedy specials in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Today we continue our Sunday Standup series, sharing some of the classic routines by iconic comedians on Sunday editions of Jewish Humor Central.    

Gilbert Gottfried (1955–2022) was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was best known for his exaggerated shrill voice, strong New York dialect, his squint, and his edgy, often controversial sense of humor. 

His numerous roles in film and television included voicing Iago in the Walt Disney Company's Aladdin franchise, Mister Mxyzptlk in Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Action, Digit LeBoid in PBS Kids' Cyberchase, Kraang Subprime in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the Aflac duck mascot before he was replaced by Daniel McKeague in 2011. He also played Mr. Peabody in the Problem Child franchise, the only actor in the series to reprise his role in all three films as well as the animated television series.

In this standup routine at a Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Gottfried casts light on the inspiration behind Herman Melville's famous book, Moby Dick.

Enjoy!