George Carlin

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George Carlin (April 2008)

George Denis Patrick Carlin (born May 12, 1937 in New York City , † June 22, 2008 in Santa Monica ) was an American comedian , actor , social critic and author . He began his career as a radio host in the late 1950s , but quickly gained fame as a stand-up comedian . With his 1972 album “FM & AM” he turned into a socially critical artist who primarily targeted American consumer society , political correctness and religion . He achieved particular fame for his Seven Dirty Words , which are not allowed to be said on television .

Life

Carlin was trained as a radar technician at Barksdale Air Force Base . He also worked as a disc jockey on radio station KJOE in the nearby city of Shreveport ( Louisiana ). In 1957 he was prematurely discharged from military service with negative assessments from his superiors.

In 1959 he appeared together with Jack Burns as a comedy team at the station KXOL in Fort Worth ( Texas ), a year later they moved to California , where they parted ways after two years. In 1961 he married Brenda Hosbrook, their daughter Kelly was born in 1963. During this time, Carlin became known nationwide through his frequent appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and Johnny Carson's Tonight Show .

Career as a stand-up comedian

Carlin in the 70s

George Carlin was known as a taboo breaker in the United States . His comedy programs covered language, psychology, politics and especially religion. In 1973 he caused outrage with a radio report about the " seven dirty words " ( Filthy Words ), which, because of its content as obscene and harmful to minors, led to a legal battle. In 1978 the US Supreme Court ruled with a slim majority of 5: 4 that the Federal Communications Commission had the right to prohibit the broadcast of such content if there was a risk that children and young people could listen.

Carlin's later appearances focused on targeting the flaws of modern America. He often addressed current issues of American politics and the excesses of American culture. He was particularly fond of religion, which he characterized as simple-minded superstition. He also criticized the consumer society, in which all too often civil rights are exchanged for “toys” such as computers, SUVs, video games and houses. He viewed political correctness as a widespread, hypocritical strategy of avoiding reality.

Carlin was named the Second Greatest Stand-Up Comedian of All Time by Comedy Central after Richard Pryor and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Comedy Awards . His programs have also been published regularly on albums and on video / DVD and have received multiple Grammy awards.

Acting career

Carlin's film career began in the late 1960s with The Man in Mammi's Bed . He first achieved fame in Germany with his role as Rufus in the films Bill & Ted's crazy journey through time and Bill & Ted's crazy journey into the future . In Scary Movie 3 , he played the role of the architect in a parody of the Matrix films. Director Kevin Smith has cast Carlin frequently in supporting roles since Dogma , in which he played a cardinal .

In 1994/95 Carlin had his own TV show and occasional guest appearances in TV series such as MADtv , Shining Time Station and Welcome Back, Kotter .

Carlin also acted as a speaker. He was one of the narrators in the television series Thomas & Friends , guest starred on The Simpsons , and said roles in the Pixar - animated film Cars as well as in Disney's Tarzan II . He also repeated his role as Rufus in the animated sequel to the Bill & Ted films.

Carlin died of heart failure in a Santa Monica hospital on June 22, 2008, at the age of 71 .

Quotes

"Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of 'em are stupider than that!"

"Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of the people are even more stupid."

- George Carlin : Doin 'It Again (1990)

“When you're born into this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America you get a front row seat. "

“When you are born into this world, you get a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America, it's a front row seat. "

“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. "

“Never argue with an idiot. They will pull you down to their level and then beat you with experience. "

HBO Specials (selection)

  • 1977: George Carlin at USC
  • 1978: George Carlin: Again!
  • 1982: Carlin at Carnegie
  • 1984: Carlin on Campus
  • 1986: Playin 'with Your Head
  • 1988: What Am I Doing in New Jersey?
  • 1990: Doin 'It Again
  • 1992: Jammin 'in New York
  • 1996: Back in Town
  • 1999: You Are All Diseased
  • 2001: Complaints and Grievances
  • 2005: Life Is Worth Losing
  • 2008: It's Bad for Ya

Filmography (selection)

Awards (excerpt)

  • 1973 - Grammy for FM and AM
  • 1987 - CableACE Award for 40 Years of Comedy
  • 1988 - American Comedy Award for 40 Years of Comedy
  • 1993 - Grammy for Jammin in New York
  • 1993 - CableACE Award for Jammin in New York
  • 1997 - American Comedy Award for Back in Town
  • 2001 - American Comedy Award - Livetime Achievement Award
  • 2001 - Grammy for Brain Droppings
  • 2001 - Emperor Has No Clothes Award from the Freedom From Religion Foundation
  • 2002 - Grammy for Napalm & Silly Putty
  • 2008 - Mark Twain Prize

Carlin was also nominated six times for an Emmy .

Publications

  • George Carlin: Sometimes a Little Brain Damage Can Help Philadelphia, Running Press Book Publishers, 1984, ISBN 0-89471-271-3 .
  • George Carlin: Brain Droppings , New York, Hyperion, 1998, ISBN 0-7868-8321-9 .
  • George Carlin: Napalm & Silly Putty , New York, Hyperion, 2001, ISBN 0-7868-8758-3 .
  • George Carlin: When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? , New York, Hyperion, 2004, ISBN 1-4013-0134-7 .
  • George Carlin: Three Times Carlin , New York, Hyperion, 2006, ISBN 978-1-4013-0243-6 .
  • George Carlin: Watch My Language , New York, Hyperion, 2009, ISBN 0-7868-8838-5 .

Web links

Commons : George Carlin  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Grammy-Winning Comedian, Counter-Culture Figure George Carlin Dies at 71 . Foxnews.com. June 23, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
  2. ↑
    Wikiquote: George Carlin # Doin 'It Again / Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics (1990)  - Quotes
  3. ↑ https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/445589-never-argue-with-an-idiot-they-will-only-bring-you [1] Goodreads.com, accessed on March 26, 2018.
personal data
SURNAME Carlin, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Carlin, George Denis Patrick (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American comedian, actor, and writer
DATE OF BIRTH May 12, 1937
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City
DATE OF DEATH June 22, 2008
Place of death Santa Monica