Gilbert Gottfriedused his final days to support his friendChris Rock.In the last Instagram post made before Gottfried’s death on Tuesday, the 67-year-old addressedWill Smithhitting Rock, 57, during the 2022 Academy Awards.“Which is the worst crime? Chris Rock being physically assaulted or Chris Rock telling a joke?” Gottfried wrote on March 28, a day after the incident on live television, alongside a smiling portrait of himself with his fellow comedian.Gottfried’s Instagram post at the end of last month was the last he would make before his death, which his friend and publicist Glenn Schwartzconfirmed to PEOPLEwas the result of “Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.The news was initially broken on Gottfried’sInstagramandTwitter, where his family shared a photo of the beloved star along with a statement: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness.“For more on Gilbert Gottfried, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.“In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children.“Known for his work in comedy films and as the bird Iago in Disney’s 1992 classicAladdin, Gottfried was instantly recognizable for his over-the-top, exaggerated voice.Gottfried also worked with Rock on a number of projects, including twoEddie Murphyfilms — 1987’sBeverly Hills Cop IIandDoctor Dolittlefrom 1998.

Gilbert Gottfriedused his final days to support his friendChris Rock.

In the last Instagram post made before Gottfried’s death on Tuesday, the 67-year-old addressedWill Smithhitting Rock, 57, during the 2022 Academy Awards.

“Which is the worst crime? Chris Rock being physically assaulted or Chris Rock telling a joke?” Gottfried wrote on March 28, a day after the incident on live television, alongside a smiling portrait of himself with his fellow comedian.

Gottfried’s Instagram post at the end of last month was the last he would make before his death, which his friend and publicist Glenn Schwartzconfirmed to PEOPLEwas the result of “Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Myotonic Dystrophy type II.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

The news was initially broken on Gottfried’sInstagramandTwitter, where his family shared a photo of the beloved star along with a statement: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness.”

For more on Gilbert Gottfried, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

“In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children.”

Known for his work in comedy films and as the bird Iago in Disney’s 1992 classicAladdin, Gottfried was instantly recognizable for his over-the-top, exaggerated voice.

Gottfried also worked with Rock on a number of projects, including twoEddie Murphyfilms — 1987’sBeverly Hills Cop IIandDoctor Dolittlefrom 1998.

source: people.com