About
George Carlin, born in Manhattan and died in Santa Monica, is a major figure in American comedy. He made his mark with his 'Seven Dirty Words' routine and appeared on The Tonight Show over 130 times. He produced 14 HBO specials, released 23 albums, and won 5 Grammy Awards. Author of three bestselling books, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2008. His work blends social observation, political critique, and reflections on language.
* 1937-05-12 — † 2008-06-22
Major works
- Brain Droppings (1997)book
- Napalm and Silly Putty (2001)book
- When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? (2004)book
- Class Clown (1972)album
- A Place for My Stuff (1981)album
Key milestones
- 1975Hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live.
- 1978His 'Seven Dirty Words' routine led to the Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica Foundation.
- 2008Awarded posthumously the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Themes
Language and censorshipSocial critiquePoliticsReligionFreedom of speech
Sources: id.loc.gov · pbs.org · nytimes.com
