George Carlin
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George Denis Patrick Carlin was born on May 12, 1937 in New York City and died on June 22, 2008. He was an American stand-up comedian, actor and author who won four Grammy Awards for his comedy albums.
At the age of nineteen, George began working as a disc jockey. Over the next four years he worked at various radio stations before forming a comedy team with his friend, Jack Burns.
While on tour in Dayton, Ohio in 1960, Carlin met Brenda Hosbrook and they were married the following year. Burns & Carlin made their television debut on The Tonight Show, but by March 1962, they decided to part ways. Carlin's first solo network appearance was on The Tonight Show in June of that year.
He emerged in the '70s as a Grammy-winning comic known for mixing off-color wordplay, goofy absurdity and angry social commentary on albums such as FM & AM (1972) and Class Clown (1972). Later he had his own TV specials, recorded albums, wrote books and guest-starred in feature films, most notably as Rufus in 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.
His records include A Place for My Stuff (1981) and Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics (1990); his books include Brain Droppings (1997) and Napalm and Silly Putty (2001); and his movies include Outrageous Fortune (1987) and several Kevin Smith comedies, including Dogma (1999) and Jersey Girl (2004).
Carlin first wife Brenda, died in May 1997 of complications from liver cancer. Their 35-year marriage produced a daughter, Kelly. He is survived by his longtime partner, Sally Wade.
Filmography
- Happily N'Ever After (2006) (voice)
- Cars (2006) (VG) (voice)
- Cars (2006) (voice)
- Tarzan II (2005) (V) (voice)
- Jersey Girl (2004)
- Scary Movie 3 (2003)
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
- "Mad TV" (1 episode, 2000)
- Dogma (1999)
- "The Simpsons" (1 episode, 1998)
- "Streets of Laredo" (1995) TV mini-series
- "The George Carlin Show" (12 episodes, 1994)
- "Shining Time Station" (2 episodes, 1991-1993)
- "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends" (1984) TV series
- The Prince of Tides (1991)
- Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
- Working Tra$h (1990) (TV)
- "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures" (1990) TV series
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
- Justin Case (1988) (TV)
- Outrageous Fortune (1987)
- Apt. 2C (1985) (TV)
- Americathon (1979)
- "Welcome Back, Kotter" (1 episode, 1977)
- "Tony Orlando and Dawn" (1974) TV series
- Car Wash (1976)
- With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)
- "Away We Go" (1967) TV series
- "That Girl" (1 episode, 1966)
Awards
- Grammy Award Best Spoken Comedy Album "Napalm & Sillyputty" 2002
- American Comedy Award Lifetime Achievement 2001
- Grammy Award Best Spoken Comedy Album "Braindroppings" 2001
- American Comedy Award Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication "George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy" 1998
- American Comedy Award Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication "George Carlin: Back In Town" 1997
- CableACE Award Writing an Entertainment Special "George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy" 1997
- Grammy Award Best Spoken Comedy Album "Jammin' in New York" 1994
- CableACE Award Stand-Up Comedy Special "George Carlin: Jammin' in New York" 1993
- Grammy Award Best Comedy Recording "FM & AM" 1973
