George Carlin

George Carlin (May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008), born George Denis Patrick Carlin, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author. He was known for his dark comedy and reflections on politics, the English language, psychology, religion, and taboo subjects. Carlin was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975.

The first of his 14 stand-up specials for HBO was filmed in 1977 and broadcast as George Carlin at USC. From the late 1980s onward, his routines focused on sociocultural criticism of American society. His "seven dirty words" routine was central to the 1978 United States Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, in which a 5-4 decision affirmed the government's power to censor indecent material on public airwaves. Carlin released his first solo album, Take-Offs and Put-Ons, in 1966, and won five Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, for FM & AM (1972), Jammin' in New York (1992), Brain Droppings (2001), Napalm and Silly Putty (2002), and It's Bad for Ya (2008).

Carlin co-created and starred in the Fox sitcom The George Carlin Show (1994-1995). His film roles included Car Wash (1976), Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), Dogma (1999) and Scary Movie 3 (2003), along with voice work as Fillmore in Cars (2006). He was posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2008. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him second on its list of the 50 best stand-up comedians of all time in 2017, behind Richard Pryor.