Gilbert Gottfried: Why The Aflac Duck Voice Actor Was Fired As The Mascot

Summary Gilbert Gottfried's offensive tweets about the 2011 Japan tragedy cost him the Aflac Duck role, leading to his termination by the company.

Aflac conducted a nationwide casting call to replace Gottfried, with Daniel McKeague eventually chosen to voice the iconic mascot.

Despite being fired, Gottfried apologized while McKeague now maintains the Aflac Duck's humor and distinctiveness in advertising.

Aflac, a prominent American insurance company, is widely recognized for its iconic mascot, the Aflac Duck, which was voiced by the iconic Gilbert Gottfried before he was fired in 2011. Introduced in 2000, the Aflac Duck quickly became a beloved symbol of the brand, known for its loud quacking of the company’s name in a distinctive, humorous voice. The mascot helped Aflac establish a unique identity and significantly boosted its market presence, making the duck an integral part of the company's advertising campaigns.

Though not Gilbert Gottfried's real voice, the comedian was famous for his distinctive voice and edgy humor. He was the original voice behind the Aflac Duck. Known for his work in stand-up comedy, film, and television, the late Gottfried brought a unique charm to the duck, making it even more memorable. His career, characterized by a blend of sharp wit and boundary-pushing jokes, made him a perfect fit for the quirky mascot. However, a series of controversial tweets in 2011 led to Gottfried’s abrupt termination from this role, marking a significant 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

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In March 2011, Japan was devastated by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, resulting in extensive loss of life and widespread destruction. The natural disaster, which measured 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a massive tsunami that obliterated coastal towns and caused a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. The disaster claimed nearly 20,000 lives (via NCEI), left thousands missing, and caused long-lasting environmental and economic damage.

During this trying period, Gilbert Gottfried posted a series of offensive tweets about the tragedy, making light of the situation with crude jokes. One of Gottfried's tweets read, “Japan is really advanced. They don't go to the beach. The beach comes to them.” This was just one of 12 insensitive jokes that the comedian tweeted, which were met with immediate backlash from the public. Gottfried’s attempts at humor were seen as callous and inappropriate.

The comedian has a contentious history with Twitter, as Gottfried's Twitter account was hacked hours after his death.

Aflac, which does approximately 75% of its business in Japan, swiftly responded to the controversy. The company condemned Gottfried’s remarks, stating that they did not align with Aflac's values. Aflac announced that they had terminated Gottfried’s contract. Aflac's senior vice president, Michael Zuna, explained that the decision was made to maintain the company's reputation and respect for the victims of the disaster. Zuna stated (via CNN):

"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac. There is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times."

Outside of Gottfried's iconic movie performances, the comedian was best known for voicing the Aflac duck. However, despite Gottfried issuing a public apology and acknowledging his error in judgment, the damage to his relationship with Aflac was irreparable. The incident underscored the fine line comedians must navigate between edgy humor and insensitivity, particularly during times of tragedy. On March 15, 2011, Gottfried responded (via THR):

“I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan. I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

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Daniel McKeague Replaced Gottfried As The Aflac Duck Voice

Aflac Launched A "Nationwide Casting Call" Following Gottfried's Firing

Following Gottfried’s dismissal, Aflac launched a "nationwide casting call" for a new voice for their beloved mascot (via THR). Daniel McKeague, a radio advertising sales manager from Hugo, Minnesota, emerged as the winner from over 12,500 applicants (via Jacksonville). McKeague, who had some experience in voice work, had a fantastic ability to mimic Gottfried’s unique vocal style, ensuring a seamless transition for the Aflac Duck’s character. Aflac CEO Dan Amos stated:

"We thought he was the best by far. I can't explain to you why. It just was. Maybe it is part of the mystique of the Aflac duck."

McKeague's performance maintained the humorous and distinctive quacking that characterized the Aflac Duck, allowing the brand to move forward without losing its familiar touch.

McKeague's performance maintained the humorous and distinctive quacking that characterized the Aflac Duck, allowing the brand to move forward without losing its familiar touch. His ability to capture the essence of the character ensured that the mascot remained a beloved figure in Aflac’s advertising campaigns. As of now, Daniel McKeague continues to voice the Aflac Duck, successfully maintaining the mascot's legacy following the firing of Gilbert Gottfried.

Sources: NCEI, CNN, THR, THR, Jacksonville