Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 4:49:59 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

70s Comic Icon George Carlin Dies

Posted Jun 23, 08 3:59 AM CDT in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Provocative comedian George Carlin died yesterday of heart failure in a Santa Monica hospital at the age of 71, Reuters reports. The counterculture hero, who long battled heart and drug problems, had been admitted earlier in the day complaining of chest pains. He was known for boundary-stretching, drug-referencing routines. One of his most famous schticks on seven "dirty words" led to a First Amendment battle in the US Supreme Court.

"There are three ingredients in my comedy," he once told the Los Angeles Times. “English language and wordplay, mundane, everyday observational comedy, and thirdly, sociopolitical attitude comedy.” He once quipped he looked forward to an afterlife where he could watch the demise of civilization on "heavenly CNN." He wrote three books, recorded 22 comedy albums and won four Grammy awards.

Sources Reuters, Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • How Comedy Turned Serious

    Nov 29, 08 7:53 AM CST
    How Comedy Turned Serious Politics and comedy are trading places, Lee Siegel writes in the Wall Street Journal, as the antics of politicians get more outlandish and comics are increasingly the people speaking truth to power. Fake newsmen like Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, with their stern commentary, lean more towards the "dark, piercing and wise" humor of Mark Twain than simple belly laughs, Seigel writes.
    More »

  • Monk Will Go Out on Top

    Nov 17, 08 1:23 PM CST
    Monk Will Go Out on Top The news that the upcoming eighth season of Monk will be its last has fans in mourning, but the USA Network staple leaves a rich legacy, Media Life reports. Monk ushered in the era of original cable programming and has consistently scored top ratings in key demographics. Tony Shalhoub is one of only two basic-cable stars to win a best actor Emmy, and the show made its mark from the ratings graveyard of Friday night.
    More »

  • Fox Cancels Mad TV

    Nov 12, 08 5:50 PM CST
    Fox Cancels Mad TV Mad TV will bid adieu after 14 seasons of Saturday night sketches, the final nail in its coffin coming from a failure to boost ratings during the presidential campaign, reports Defamer. Fox's Saturday Night Live competitor, which has been on the chopping block for years, will finish up the season before being relegated to DVD collections.
    More »

  • SNL Addresses Estrogen Deficit

    Nov 12, 08 5:34 PM CST
    SNL Addresses Estrogen Deficit The election cycle is over, along with Tina Fey's impersonations of Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler's run on Saturday Night Live. Lorne Michaels has plucked two young female comediennes to help fill the gap, the Comic's Comic reports. Abby Elliott, the daughter of eccentric funnyman Chris Elliott, and Michaela Watkins are expected to make their debuts this weekend. More »

  • Estelle Reiner Dead at 94

    Oct 30, 08 1:22 PM CDT
    Estelle Reiner Dead at 94 Estelle Reiner, wife of actor Carl Reiner and mother to actor/director Rob Reiner, died Saturday at her home in Beverly Hills at 94, the New York Times reports. Estelle is perhaps best known for her cameo in Rob’s 1989 film When Harry Met Sally, where, following Meg Ryan’s faked orgasm at a deli, said: “I’ll have what she’s having.” More »

This undated photo originally released by HBO shows George Carlin in a promotional photo for his HBO special "It's Bad For Ya."   (AP Photo)
In a July 22, 1972 file photo, Milwaukee Police officers lead comedian George Carlin off the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. He was arrested after using allegedly profane language during his act.   (AP Photo)
In a Feb. 28, 2007, file photo, comedian George Carlin opens the 13th annual U.S. Comedy Arts Festival at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colo.   (AP Photo)
In a March 2, 2002, file photo George Carlin finishes his act with a flourish after receiving a Free Speech award at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 5)

Tags

television • comedy • comedian • stand up comedy • George Carlin


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »