Comedy legend Gilbert Gottfried has died. In a statement from his family released Tuesday, they announced, “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.”

Gottfried’s rep, Glenn Schwartz, told TMZ he died from a heart abnormality called Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II. Gottfried’s career spanned to the 70s when he was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” He then became a hit on “The Cosby Show” in the 80s. Gilbert was a standout in “Beverly Hills Cop II” where he played business manager Sidney Bernstein. Gottfried also did plenty of voice work, voicing Iago on “Aladdin” and the Aflac Duck in the early 2000s.

Gottfried posted a heart-wrenching photo of himself with Bob Saget and Louie Anderson shortly after Louie died with the caption, “This photo is very sad now. RIP Bog Saget and RIP Louie Anderson. Both good friends that will be missed.” Gottfried, who has been performing stand-up comedy for over 50 years, became known as “the comedian’s comedian” “because his live performances put aside political correctness while he delivers jokes that know no boundaries,” his representative said in a statement.

More recently, in 2017, he was the subject of the documentary “Gilbert,” about his life. He co-hosted a podcast, “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!” He and Frank Santopadre interviewed Hollywood icons and legends. His family described him as “the most iconic voice in comedy” and a “wonderful husband, brother, friend, and father to his two young children.”

Actor Jason Alexander was among those who shared his condolences on Tuesday, saying, “Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift,” he wrote in a tweet. “I did not know him well, but I loved what he shared with me—my best wishes and sympathy to his family #ripGilbertGottfried.” Other celebrities also mourned Gottfried on social media, sharing fond memories of him and his impact on their lives.

Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin wrote in a tweet, “I am so sad to read about the passing of Gilbert Gottfried. Funny, politically incorrect, but a softie on the inside. We met many times; he even pranked me on a plane, replacing my interpreter @655jack (they’re like twins). Sending love to Dara & his children.”

Brian Koppelman, “Billions” co-creator and showrunner, said Gottfried’s stand-up “changed” him, writing in a tweet, “Gilbert Gottfried meant more to me than you probably know. I have talked about this on my podcast and on his, but when I was 14, I got to see him do stand up, and it changed me. His subversiveness and bravery were unparalleled. And he made you fall down laughing. This sucks.”

Gottfried leaves behind his wife, Dara, whom he married in 2007, and his two kids, Lily and Max