George Carlin is an acclaimed stand-up comic, actor and an author. He was most famous for his role in the Supreme Court's 1978 case F.C.C vs Pacifica Foundation. Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" routine was ultimately deemed "indecent" but not "obscene", thereby determining broadcast standards since.
Carlin grew up in New York City and dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in Louisiana. Carlin tried his hand as a DJ in Shreveport, and after his discharge, found himself in Fort Worth, Texas, where he started doing stand-up. Carlin climbed the ladder until he started making frequent appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Tonight Show" amidst his comedy album releases.
Carlin's act changed dramatically during the 70's, as his dark humor, coupled with a new 'hippie look' forever changed the landscape of American humor. Carlin was notably the host on the first episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975. Because of his drug use and a heart condition, Carlin's career went into a decline during the late 70's. While his appearances were less frequent, he did start doing regular shows for HBO, which kept him in the public eye.
The late 80's saw a resurgence of Carlin's popularity as a result of his appearance in the "Bill & Ted" movies and he returned to his stand-up act, which was typically aired on HBO and had an accompanying album. Carlin also started writing books to further explore his almost nihilist look at the world and it's problems. In recent years Carlin has done voice-over roles in animated films and television.
Carlin was admitted to Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica on the morning of June 22, 2008, where he died of heart failure later that evening.
Carlin grew up in New York City and dropped out of high school in the ninth grade. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in Louisiana. Carlin tried his hand as a DJ in Shreveport, and after his discharge, found himself in Fort Worth, Texas, where he started doing stand-up. Carlin climbed the ladder until he started making frequent appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Tonight Show" amidst his comedy album releases.
Carlin's act changed dramatically during the 70's, as his dark humor, coupled with a new 'hippie look' forever changed the landscape of American humor. Carlin was notably the host on the first episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975. Because of his drug use and a heart condition, Carlin's career went into a decline during the late 70's. While his appearances were less frequent, he did start doing regular shows for HBO, which kept him in the public eye.
The late 80's saw a resurgence of Carlin's popularity as a result of his appearance in the "Bill & Ted" movies and he returned to his stand-up act, which was typically aired on HBO and had an accompanying album. Carlin also started writing books to further explore his almost nihilist look at the world and it's problems. In recent years Carlin has done voice-over roles in animated films and television.
Carlin was admitted to Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica on the morning of June 22, 2008, where he died of heart failure later that evening.
Carlin's book "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" was taken off the shelves of Wal-Mart after complaints about the cover, which depicted Carlin sitting at the Last Supper.
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As of 2007, George has 4 Grammy Awards for his comedy albums "FM & AM" (1972), "Jammin' in New York" (1991), "Brain Droppings" (2000) and "Napalm & Silly Putty" (2001).
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In December, 2004, George checked himself into rehab because he felt he was getting dependent on 'wine and vicodin.'
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In season 2 of Shining Time Station, George Carlin took over as Mr. Conductor untill the show's final run.
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George Carlin is an atheist.
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Named #2 in Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Standups of All Time.
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As of 2008, George has starred in at least 14 HBO specials.
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Has worn all black clothing for his stand-up performances since the 1990s.
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On April 22, 2001, George received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual American Comedy Awards on Comedy Central.
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Just before Christmas in 2005, George began experiencing severe shortness of breath. On Christmas day he checked into Cedars Sinai Hospital, and during an 8 day stay he was treated for a lung infection. They also discovered a narrow artery. George underwent Angioplasty, including the replacement of a double Stent. The procedure was a success.
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Attended (but was expelled from) Cardinal Hayes High School Bronx, New York. Same alma mater of Regis Philbin and Martin Scorcese.
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Appeared in "The Simpsons" (1989) episode "Of Wind and D'ohses," playing a former hippie. In a previous episode of the show, Krusty the Clown is told he's being sued by Carlin for stealing the "Seven Words You Can't Say on Television."
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His wife, Brenda, died one day before his sixtieth birthday.
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The radio broadcast of an uncensored version of his routine "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Radio or Television" became the center of a debate over censorship, and FCC legislation over profanity.
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Inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame in November of 1994.
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Had one child, a daughter, with Brenda Carlin.
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He was married to his only wife Brenda from June 3, 1961 - 11 May 1997, till her death.
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Nickname: Georgie Porgie
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Received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in January of 1987. It's located at the corner of Vine and Selma Streets, between Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards.
(edit) In August 1961, Carlin, his new wife Brenda and Jack Burns were detained by Dallas police as armed robbery suspects. It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. (edit) Hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975. He also hosted SNL on November 10, 1984. As well as the first ever host of "Fridays" a show fashioned after "SNL", on another network (edit)
(edit) In August 1961, Carlin, his new wife Brenda and Jack Burns were detained by Dallas police as armed robbery suspects. It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. (edit) Hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975. He also hosted SNL on November 10, 1984. As well as the first ever host of "Fridays" a show fashioned after "SNL", on another network (edit)
George Carlin: When you quit school in ninth grade and you're smart, you spend your life in some small or large way proving yourself.
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George Carlin: (When asked what does he like?) I love individuals. I think people are terrific as I meet and get to know them. I like imagination. I like the freedom that this society manages to parcel out to us in the midst of the rest of what they do to you. I also like thinking about the fact that the atoms in me are the same atoms that are in all the rest of the universe, and that every one of those atoms came from the middle of a star. In other words, it's only me out there.
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George Carlin: I don't consider myself a cynic. I think of myself as a skeptic and a realist. But I understand the word "cynic" has more than one meaning, and I see how I could be seen as cynical. "George, you're cynical." Well, you know, they say if you scratch a cynic you find a disappointed idealist.
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George Carlin: I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.
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George Carlin: "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?
(edit) George: I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death. (edit) George Carlin: I really think there's great human drama in destruction and nature unleashed and I don't get enough of it. (edit) George Carlin: If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. (edit) George Carlin: If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. (edit) George Carlin: I don't have hobbies; hobbies cost money. Interests are quite free. (edit) George Carlin: It's never just a game when you`re winning. (edit) George Carlin: Electricity is really just organized lightning. (edit) George Carlin: At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom. (edit) George Carlin: When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you're given a front row seat. (edit) George Carlin: I think we're already "circling the drain" as a species,and I'd love to see the circles get a little faster and a little shorter. (edit) George Carlin: Calm down, have some dip. (edit)
(edit) George: I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death. (edit) George Carlin: I really think there's great human drama in destruction and nature unleashed and I don't get enough of it. (edit) George Carlin: If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. (edit) George Carlin: If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. (edit) George Carlin: I don't have hobbies; hobbies cost money. Interests are quite free. (edit) George Carlin: It's never just a game when you`re winning. (edit) George Carlin: Electricity is really just organized lightning. (edit) George Carlin: At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom. (edit) George Carlin: When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you're given a front row seat. (edit) George Carlin: I think we're already "circling the drain" as a species,and I'd love to see the circles get a little faster and a little shorter. (edit) George Carlin: Calm down, have some dip. (edit)
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