A popular US comedian whose ads for a large insurance company had become a national conversation topic has been fired after posting some insensitive jokes on his Twitter account about the devastating Japanese earthquake, dpa reported.
Gilbert Gottfried, 56, had been recognizable for his grating quack as the voice of the duck on ubiquitous television adverts for Aflac Insurance.
Known for attacking taboo topics during a long career as a stand- up comic, Godfried tweeted a string of Japan-related jokes on Monday, including such tasteless quips as, "Japan is really advanced. They don't go to the beach. The beach comes to them."
And another one: "I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, 'There'll be another one floating by any minute now.'"
Aflac, which has a large business presence in Japan, said Gottfried's tweets "were lacking in humour and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac."
Gottfried apologized Tuesday: "I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families."