Saget’s adult daughters,Aubrey, Jennifer andLara, were in attendance for the late comedian’s funeral, which took place in Westchester, New York on Thursday morning, Gottfried’s friend and fellow comedianJeff Rosstold PEOPLE.
“What was very heartwarming was seeing Bob Saget’s daughters at the service,” said Ross, who gavean emotional eulogy at the service, held two days after Gottfrieddied at age 67.
The beloved star and Saget — who died in January at age 65due to head trauma— had a longstanding friendship and often crossed paths in the comedy world.
After theFull Houseactor’s death earlier this year, Gottfried shared a note about his friend on Instagram. “Still in shock. I just spoke with Bob a few days ago,” he wrote beside a photo of them with late comedianLouie Anderson. “We stayed on the phone as usual making each other laugh. RIP to friend, comedian & fellow Aristocrat Bob Saget.”
Bob Saget with two of his daughters.Ilya S. Savenok/Getty; Jim Spellman/WireImage
“Bob loved Gilbert so dearly, they had a special friendship,” Rizzo, 42, wrote. “As he did with everyone in this photo. And sending my love to my wonderful friend Jeff as Gilbert’s loss is beyond painful for him. Thinking of Dara his amazing & strong wife right now. Much love & support to his family.”
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Gilbert Gottfried/Twitter
Sharing that same image on Thursday, Rizzo added on her Instagram Story, “This photo is so surreal to me. And god bless Jeff for always making people laugh even in the saddest times. Bob loved all the people at this table so damn much. RIP sweet Gilbert. I had a long conversation with him in Jan when he called me with condolences and I reminded him how much Bob adored him. He was so so kind and sweet.”
Gottfried died Tuesday from complications of a rare muscle disease, his publicistconfirmed to PEOPLE. “Beloved and iconic comedian Gilbert Gottfried passed away at 2:35 p.m. ET on April 12, 2022, from Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II,” his rep said.
The actor and comedian was best known for his legendary voice, which he lent to the character Iago inAladdin, as well as other projects like PBS Kids seriesCyberchase. In recent years, Gottfried hosted the podcast,Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!, which aired its latest episode on April 4.
Kelly Rizzo’s Instagram Story.Kelly Rizzo/Instagram
In addition to Saget’s daughters,Colin Quinn,Dave Attell,Mario Cantone, Susie Essman andPaul Shafferall attended Gottfried’s funeral service on Thursday.
Whoopi Goldberg, although not in attendance, sent a gift in honor of Gottfried, and comedianSarah Silvermanis planning on sitting shiva with a slew of theAladdinvoice actor’s friends and family.
“The shiva tonight will be a star-studded event and the funeral was just absolutely perfect,” Ross told PEOPLE. “Gilbert would have loved it. I saw so many great comics there paying their respects.”
Continuing, Ross noted, “Some of the guys that helped Gilbert write those Comedy Central roasts — Aaron Lee and Jordan Rubin — they wanted to pay their respects. They were part of that team that helped him rip the roof off those roasts.”
“It was cathartic but there was also a sense of relief,” Ross added. “As I said at the funeral, Gilbert had been sick, he was tired, and he had perfect timing. He knew it was his time to get off the stage.”
source: people.com
