George Carlin

George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic. Regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all time, he was dubbed "the dean of counterculture comedians". 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'' during the three-decade Johnny Carson era and hosted the first episode of ''Saturday Night Live'' in 1975. The first of Carlin's 14 stand-up comedy specials for HBO was filmed in 1977, broadcast as ''George Carlin at USC''. From the late 1980s onwards, his routines focused on sociocultural criticism of American society. He often commented on American political issues and satirized American culture. His "seven dirty words" routine was central to the 1978 United States Supreme Court case ''F.C.C. 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. He went on to receive five Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, winning for ''FM & AM'' (1972), ''Jammin' in New York'' (1992), ''Brain Droppings'' (2001), ''Napalm & Silly Putty'' (2002), and ''It's Bad for Ya'' (2008). The latter was his final comedy special, which was filmed less than four months before his death from cardiac failure.

Carlin co-created and starred in the Fox sitcom ''The George Carlin Show'' (1994–1995). He is also known for his film performances in ''Car Wash'' (1976), ''Outrageous Fortune'' (1987), ''Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'' (1989), ''Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'' (1991), ''The Prince of Tides'' (1991), ''Dogma'' (1999), ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'' (2001), ''Scary Movie 3'' (2003), and ''Jersey Girl'' (2004). He also had voice roles as Zugor in ''Tarzan II'', Fillmore in ''Cars'' (2006), and as Mr. Conductor on ''Shining Time Station'', as well as narrating the American dubs of ''Thomas & Friends''.

Carlin was posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2008. He placed second on Comedy Central's list of top 10 American comedians in 2004, while ''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked him second on its list of the 50 best stand-up comedians of all time in 2017, in both cases behind Richard Pryor. Provided by Wikipedia