George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008)[17][18] was
an American stand-up comedian, actor and author who won four Grammy
Awards for his comedy albums.
Carlin was especially noted for his political and black humor and his
observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many
taboo subjects. Carlin and his "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine were
central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica
Foundation, in which a narrow 5-4 decision by the justices affirmed
the government's right to regulate Carlin's act on the public
airwaves.
In the 2000s, Carlin's stand-up routines focused on the flaws in
modern-day America. He often took on contemporary political issues in
the United States and satirized the excesses of American culture.
He placed second on the Comedy Central cable television network list
of the 10 greatest stand-up comedians, ahead of Lenny Bruce and behind
Richard Pryor.[19] He was a frequent performer and guest host on The
Tonight Show during the three-decade Johnny Carson era, and was also
the first person to host Saturday Night Live.
