Gilbert Goddfried Aplolgizes…For Being Gilbert Goddfried

GILBERT GOTTFRIED has apologized for Tweeting a dozen insensitive and only moderately-funny jokes about the tsunami in Japan the other day.

He said, quote, "I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by my attempt at humor regarding the tragedy in Japan.  I meant no disrespect, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families."

The Tweets caused him to lose his gig as the voice of the Aflac duck . . . which he's been doing for over a decade.

Aflac has already announced they're going to conduct a nationwide search for Gilbert's replacement.  There's no word if his apology might change their minds.

Meanwhile, Gilbert got support yesterday from two equally offensive entertainers:  HOWARD STERN and JOAN RIVERS.

On his radio show last week, Stern said Aflac should have known what they were getting into . . . quote, "Here is the guy that as long as I know has been making jokes…you couldn't ask for a more inappropriate human being than Gilbert Gottfried."

Was that meant as a compliment?...I think so.