Gilbert Gottfried returns to Stanhope

STANHOPE — Once the voice behind some famous poultry stars, Gilbert Gottfried, is returning to Sussex County to perform his stand-up comedy act at the Stanhope House on Aug. 8.

As a comedian, actor and voice actor, Gottfried is well known for voicing the parrot Iago in Disney's "Aladdin" and the Aflac Duck.

PodcastRecently, he has been producing a podcast called "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast," where he interviews old Hollywood icons on the Sideshow Network.

"The ratings have been great on it," Gottfried said of his podcast. "I wasn’t expecting anyone to listen to it.... I concentrate on old Hollywood."

Gottfried has interviewed stars such as the orginial Batman Adam West, Bob Saget, Weird Al Yankovic, Paul Shaffer, Marty Allen, Dick Cavett, Billy West, Godfather actor Gianni Russo, Joe Franklin, Alan Thicke, Sara Karloff and more.

There are still many actors Gottfried has yet to interview, but also many he will never have the chance to.

"So many of them that I grew up watching are dead," Gottfried said of old Hollywood actors. "I would have to bring people back from the dead. Orginially I was going to call the show 'Before It's Too Late' show. But I thought it may creep people out."

Stand upGottfried hit the stage for the first time at 15 years old at an open mic night. Since then his career has grown with movies and starring on several television shows including NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice."

Touring is not something Gottfried does, instead he continues to do stand up shows throughout the year.

"Sometimes I really enjoy it, other times I think it's like death of a salesman," Gottfried said about doing stand up.

After decades of performing, Gottfried still gets nervous getting up on stage.

"Everytime now before I go on stage, I think I can't do this," Gottfried said. "I think there is no way I can go up and yet once I go up, the adrenaline starts going. It's like standing on the edge of a pool and pool is really freezing and you just have to jump in. You can't just put your toe in."

Although Gottfried performed at the Stanhope House around the same time last year, he has trouble remembering all of the places he has performed.

"I am one of those people where someone has to tell me where I have been," Gottfried said. "There will be clubs and entire cities, I swear I have never been to and then I show up and my signature is on wall."