George Carlin

George Carlin (1937–2008)

George Carlin was an American comedian, social critic, actor, and author, known for his sharp wit, irreverent humor, and unsparing commentary on societal issues. Born on May 12, 1937, in New York City, Carlin’s career spanned more than five decades, during which he became one of the most influential and controversial figures in the world of comedy.

In his early career, Carlin was upbeat and zany. His comedy had broad appeal and was relatively clean. During the sixties, however, his approach to comedy changed radically.

Carlin’s trademark in the later part of his career was dark comedy. His acclaim and notoriety came from his willingness to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in media and culture. In fact, when the FCC fined a broadcaster for airing a version of his “Seven Dirty Words” routine, the case went all the way up to the Supreme Court, which sided with the FCC (with some nuance). His popularity was due to more than mere edginess. He often had trenchant insights amid content which many would find very offensive. While he had a keen eye for the absurd, the hypocritical, and unjust, he often strayed beyond what most people would consider good taste, making about subjects few people consider acceptable, including suicide, 9/11, and genocide. In his later years his cynicism often strayed into outright nihilism. His heavy drug use and struggles with addiction seriously affected his health and career, even into his late years.

While many Christians may rue his contribution to making rude comedy and profanity mainstream, his comedy was also influential in the development today’s popular political and observational comedy styles.

Beyond his stand-up, Carlin authored books and appeared on television and film.

George Carlin passed away on June 22, 2008.