George Carlin.

George Denis Patrick Carlin

George Carlin — Actor

Born 12 May 1937 New York City, United States

Died 22 Jun 2008 Santa Monica, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 89 yr If Living

19 min read

Reading time

3,613

Words

Jun 22, 2026

Published

137

Film credits

16

Books

9

Awards

TL;DR

George Carlin’s 1978 Supreme Court case over his Seven Dirty Words routine defined free speech in broadcasting. He won five Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album and received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2008. Over 14 HBO specials, he evolved from a conventional comedian to a biting social critic, profoundly influencing stand-up comedy.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of George Carlin — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name George Denis Patrick Carlin

Nicknames Georgie Porgie, Curious George

SPOUSES: Sally Wade Brenda Carlin
CHILDREN: Kelly Carlin

At a glance.

STATS

George Carlin by the numbers — life, work, and family.

71 Years lived

137 Film credits

16 Books

9 Awards

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was George Carlin?

BIOGRAPHY

George Carlin — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

George Denis Patrick Carlin was born on May 12, 1937, in Manhattan, New York City. His parents, Mary a secretary and Patrick John Carlin an advertising manager, divorced when he was two months old, and he was raised by his mother in a single-parent household. The long hours his mother worked left young George alone to think, listen to radio, and practice impersonations, which his mother and coworkers praised from an early age. He attended Catholic schools, including Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, from which he was expelled, and later Bishop Dubois High School.

Career

Carlin started his career as a conventional comedian, achieving success as a Bill Cosby-style raconteur in nightclubs and on television. In 1960, he formed a comedy duo with Jack Burns, but they parted ways in 1962. By the late 1960s, Carlin radically overhauled his persona, adopting a Lenny Bruce-inspired style of social and political commentary. His 1972 album FM & AM won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album and included his infamous Seven Dirty Words routine. That routine became central to the 1978 Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, which upheld the government’s authority to regulate indecent broadcasting. Carlin starred in 14 HBO specials from 1977 until his death, including Jammin’ in New York 1993, which earned him another Grammy. He also acted in films such as Kevin Smith’s Dogma 1999 and played Mr. Conductor on the children’s show Shining Time Station 1989.

Personal life

Carlin married Brenda Carlin on June 3, 1961; she served as executive producer on all his TV specials until her death from cancer on May 11, 1997. The couple had one daughter, Kelly Carlin, born in 1963. After Brenda’s death, Carlin married Sally Wade on June 24, 1998, and they remained together until his death. He suffered heart attacks in 1978, 1982, and 1991, and had a double stent placed in 2005 after a lung infection and narrowed arteries. Despite his angry stage persona, he was described as kind and shy offstage.

Legacy

Carlin’s influence on stand-up comedy is profound, with his Lenny Bruce-style social commentary and linguistic precision inspiring countless comedians. He was the first posthumous recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2008, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987 for live theatre. His Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television routine remains a landmark in free speech debates. Carlin is remembered for his incisive, nihilistic observations about religion, politics, and the English language.

Filmography.

FILMS · 137

Browse the complete filmography of George Carlin — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Simpsons

1989
TV

The Daily Show

1996
TV

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962
TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003
TV

The Mike Douglas Show

1961
TV

Thomas & Friends

1984
TV

Sliders

1995
Movie

Cars

2006
TV

The Merv Griffin Show

1962
TV

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

1992
TV

The Dick Cavett Show

1968
TV

That Girl

1966
TV

The Carol Burnett Show

1967

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 5

Every award, honor, and recognition received by George Carlin — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Grammy Hall of Fame
Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album
Emperor Has No Clothes Award
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 16

George Carlin's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Napalm & Silly Putty

by George Carlin
Amazon

When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?

by George Carlin
Amazon

Last Words

by George Carlin et al.
Amazon

Brain Droppings

by George Carlin
Amazon

More Napalm & Silly Putty

by George Carlin
Amazon

3 X Carlin

by George Carlin
Amazon

George Carlin

by George Carlin

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 14

A wall of memorable lines from George Carlin — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

If Acting Was Hard for Me, I Wouldn’t Do It; It Is Something That I Like to Do.
When Evolution Is Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Evolve.
I Think It’s the Duty of the Comedian to Find Out Where the Line Is Drawn and Cross It Deliberately.
Frisbeetarianism Is the Belief That When You Die, Your Soul Goes up on the Roof and Gets Stuck.
I Enjoy Criticizing on the Basis of It’s You Folks. Because I Never Felt a Part of This, I Never Identified with a Local Group. I Never Belonged to Any Club, Organization, or State. I Love New York City, but That’s a Chauvinist Thing. I Suppose It’s a Belonging Thing. I’m Not Proud of This Country, I Don’t Care What Happens to It, I Honestly Don’t Give a Shit If It All Goes up in Flames. Having That Freedom Just Made the Writing so Much More Fun.
As Long as You Have Observations to Make, as Long as You Can See Things and Let Them Register Against Your Template, as Long as You’re Able to Take Impressions and Compare Them with the Old Ones, You Will Always Have Material. People Have Always Asked Me: ‘Don’t You Ever Think You Might Run Out of Ideas? Don’t You Ever Worry About Not Having Anything to Say Anymore?’ Occasionally That Does Flash Through Your Mind, Because It’s a Natural Human Impulse to Think in Terms of Beginnings and Endings. the Truth Is, I Can’t Run Out of Ideas Not as Long as I Keep Getting New Information and I Can Keep Processing It.
The Politicians Are Put There to Give You the Idea That You Have Freedom of Choice. You Don’t. You Have No Choice. You Have Owners. They Own You. They Own Everything.
It’s Called the American Dream, Because You Have to Be Asleep to Believe It.
Even Though I Don’t Smoke, I’m Not One of Those Fanatics You Run Into. in Fact, I Love Watching Cigarette Smokers in Their Sad Little Sealed off Areas, Sucking Away, Deep Lines in Their Faces, Precancerous Lesions Taking Hold, the Posture and Body Language of Petty Criminals. You Know What You Do with These People? Give ‘Em Free Cigarettes. Let ‘Em Smoke.
Don’t Sweat the Petty Things and Don’t Pet the Sweaty Things.
I’m Completely in Favor of the Separation of Church and State. My Idea Is That These Two Institutions Screw Us up Enough on Their Own, so Both of Them Together Is Certain Death.
I Collected Autographs as a Kid Not in Any Sort of Hardcore Way, but Just by Hanging Around the Stage Doors. and I Loved Danny Kaye. He Was in the Stage Show at Radio City, and I Went and I Stood at That Door for Over an Hour. It Was a Rainy, Cold Day I Wasn’t in the Direct Rain, but It Was Very Cold and It Was Getting Dark. and I Stood There and Waited for Danny Kaye, and He Came and I Was the Only Kid There. and He Walked Right Past Me. He Wouldn’t Even Say Anything. and I Did My Little Rap, Oh Please, Please, Please . . . . and Then Later I See Him with These UNICEF Kids, with 30 of Them Sitting on His Lap, and I Knew He Was Full of Shit.
Doing New Stuff Is a Point of Pride with Me. People May Not Consider It So, but Stand up Comedy Is One of the Performing Arts, and Artists Are Supposed to Grow and Evolve Over Time. Through the Years, My Technique Has Sharpened, My Writing Has Improved and Even My Observations Have Grown Richer. I Can’t Do Old Material; I Would Feel Like a Failure. Essentially, This Job Is That of a Writer, but a Writer Who Doesn’t Produce New Work All the Time Is Not a Writer He’s a Typist.
As Long as You Have Observations to Make, as Long as You Can See Things and Let Them Register Against Your Template, as Long as You’re Able to Take Impressions and Compare Them with the Old Ones, You Will Always Have Material. People Have Always Asked Me, Don’t You Ever Think You Might Run Out of Ideas? Don’t You Ever Worry About Not Having Anything to Say Anymore? Occasionally That Does Flash Through Your Mind, Because It’s a Natural Human Impulse to Think in Terms of Beginnings and Endings. the Truth Is, I Can’t Run Out of Ideas Not as Long as I Keep Getting New Information and I Can Keep Processing It.

Did you know?

FACTS · 48

Little-known facts about George Carlin — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

During his stint in the Air Force, he was court martialed three times.
He once met a young fan of Shining Time Station at an airport and explained that Mr. Conductor was on vacation rather than disillusioning him.
Despite his famous angry stage persona, he was known to be a very kind, quiet, and shy man offstage.
Chosen as #2 in Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time in April 2004.
According to his A&E Biography profile, his mother’s frequent advice to go look it up in the dictionary sparked his fascination with words and wordplay, which became the basis of his comedy, including the Seven Dirty Words routine.
He suffered heart attacks in 1978, 1982, and 1991.
His first wife, Brenda Carlin, was always listed as Executive Producer on all his TV specials until her death from cancer.
Was the first posthumous recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
His wife Brenda died one day before his sixtieth birthday.
The radio broadcast of an uncensored version of his Seven Dirty Words routine became the center of a Supreme Court case over censorship and FCC legislation on profanity.
His comedy influences included Spike Jones, The Marx Brothers, Danny Kaye, Jerry Lewis, Lenny Bruce, and Bob Newhart.
He viewed playing Mr. Conductor on Shining Time Station as community service and enjoyed showing a different side of himself.
Joined the U.S. Air Force as a radar technician.
Died two days before the 10th anniversary of his marriage to Sally Wade.
Spent years writing a one-man Broadway show with working titles Watch My Language and New York City Boy; it was never performed.
He was the first-ever host of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975, and also the first host of Fridays in 1980.
Worked as a radio DJ in the northeastern United States, including KXOL-AM in Fort Worth and KJOE-AM in Shreveport.
Starred in 14 HBO specials from 1977 until his death in 2008.
Ran into IRS troubles in the late 1970s and early 1980s because his accountants stashed tax bills away; he didn’t resolve it until years later.
Close friends with Joe Pesci and said he prayed to him instead of God.
Inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame in November 1994.
Appeared in The Simpsons episode D’oh-in’ in the Wind as a former hippie; a previous episode referenced his Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television.
Worked as a disc jockey at KXOL-AM 1360 in Fort Worth, Texas, where he met newsman Jack Burns and formed a comedy duo.
Just before Christmas 2005, he entered Cedars-Sinai Hospital for a lung infection and narrowed arteries, receiving antibiotics and an angioplasty with a double stent.
He appeared in three films directed by Kevin Smith: Dogma 1999, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back 2001, and Jersey Girl 2004.
Attended but was expelled from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, the same alma mater as Regis Philbin, Martin Scorsese, and Don DeLillo.
Irish-American.
Many popular writings on the Internet are falsely attributed to him, such as I Am a Bad American and The Paradox of Our Time.
Worked as a disc jockey at KJOE-AM in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Jack Burns and Carlin were a comedy team from 1960 to 1962; after splitting, Burns joined Second City and Carlin pursued solo stand-up.
He received two Grammys: for FM & AM 1972 and Jammin’ in New York 1993 though the source lists five total Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album.
He and his older brother Patrick were raised by a single mother in New York City; their mother Mary died in 1984 at age 89.
In 1983, he returned to Cardinal Hayes High School for a Hall of Fame dinner honoring the priest who had suggested he attend another school.
His mother almost had an abortion when pregnant with him, but he later spoke out in favor of abortion rights and convinced his wife Brenda to have one in the late 1960s during their financial troubles.
Awarded the 2008 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
His Seven Words You Can’t Say on TV are referenced in the film Private Parts 1997.
His autobiography Last Words, co-written with Tony Hendra, was published posthumously in November 2009.
Educated mostly in Catholic schools in New York City.
Immortalized in Weird Al Yankovic’s song Stop Forwarding That Crap to Me, which mentions that his quotes are often falsely attributed.
Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 1555 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
Daughter Kelly Carlin was born in 1963.
Biography in Who’s Who in Comedy by Ronald L. Smith 1992.
Worked at WEZE AM in Boston in 1960 with Jack Burns; they were fired after a prison break when Carlin joked about using the news car for the next one.
Named after his uncle George Beary.
Younger brother of Patrick Carlin.
Childhood friends with Dave Wilson; they attended summer camp together and performed.
Second-born son of Patrick Carlin Sr. and Mary Carlin.
Friend of Richard Belzer.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 54

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about George Carlin.

When was George Carlin born?

George Carlin was born on May 12, 1937. He was born in New York City, New York, USA.
Where was George Carlin born?

George Carlin was born in New York City, New York, USA. He was raised in Manhattan by his mother after his parents divorced.
When did George Carlin die?

George Carlin died on June 22, 2008. He was 71 years old at the time of his death.
How old was George Carlin when he died?

George Carlin was 71 years old when he died on June 22, 2008. He had suffered from heart problems for decades.
Where did George Carlin die?

George Carlin died in Santa Monica, California, USA. He passed away from heart failure at a hospital there.
How did George Carlin die?

George Carlin died of heart failure. He had a history of heart attacks, having suffered them in 1978, 1982, and 1991, and had undergone a double stent procedure in 2005.
What was George Carlin's real name?

George Carlin’s full birth name was George Denis Patrick Carlin. He was named after his uncle George Beary.
What did George Carlin do for a living?

George Carlin was an actor, writer, and producer. He was primarily known as a stand-up comedian and also hosted TV shows and appeared in films.
What nationality was George Carlin?

George Carlin was an American citizen. He was born in New York City and identified as Irish-American.
What language did George Carlin speak?

George Carlin’s native language was English. He was known for his masterful use of the English language in his comedy routines.
Who was George Carlin married to?

George Carlin was married twice. First to Brenda Carlin from June 3, 1961 until her death on May 11, 1997, and then to Sally Wade from June 24, 1998 until his death in 2008.
Did George Carlin have children?

Yes, George Carlin had one daughter, Kelly Carlin, born in 1963. She is his only child.
Where did George Carlin go to school?

George Carlin attended Cardinal Hayes High School and Bishop Dubois High School. He was expelled from Cardinal Hayes but later reconciled with the school.
What awards did George Carlin win?

George Carlin won numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Grammy Hall of Fame award.
How many awards did George Carlin win?

George Carlin won nine major awards according to his biography. These include five Grammy Awards and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
What is George Carlin best known for?

George Carlin is best known for his stand-up comedy, particularly his Seven Dirty Words routine, which led to a Supreme Court case. He also appeared on The Simpsons, The Daily Show, and hosted Saturday Night Live.
How tall was George Carlin?

George Carlin was 5 feet 9 inches tall, which is 1.75 meters. His height was typical for a comedian of his era.
What were George Carlin's nicknames?

George Carlin had nicknames like Georgie Porgie and Curious George as a child. These were affectionate names used by family and friends.
Who were George Carlin's parents?

George Carlin’s parents were Mary Bearey Carlin, a secretary, and Patrick John Carlin, an advertising manager. They divorced when George was two months old.
Did George Carlin have siblings?

Yes, George Carlin had an older brother named Patrick Carlin. The two were raised by their mother in New York City.
What was George Carlin's first job in entertainment?

George Carlin worked as a radio DJ at several stations, including KXOL-AM in Fort Worth and WEZE AM in Boston. There he met Jack Burns and formed a comedy duo.
Did George Carlin serve in the military?

Yes, George Carlin served in the U.S. Air Force as a radar technician. He was court-martialed three times during his stint but was eventually discharged.
What was George Carlin's connection to the Supreme Court?

George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words routine was broadcast on radio and led to the 1978 Supreme Court case FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, which upheld the government’s authority to regulate indecent speech on public airwaves.
How many HBO specials did George Carlin have?

George Carlin starred in 14 HBO specials from 1977 until his death in 2008. These specials showcased his evolving comedic style.
What movies did George Carlin appear in?

George Carlin appeared in Kevin Smith films like Dogma 1999, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back 2001, and Jersey Girl 2004. He also voiced characters on The Simpsons.
Did George Carlin write an autobiography?

Yes, George Carlin’s autobiography Last Words, co-written with Tony Hendra, was published posthumously in November 2009. It covers his life and career.
Was George Carlin a Catholic?

George Carlin was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools, but he became a harsh critic of religion in his comedy. He often mocked religious institutions.
What is the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor?

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is awarded by the Kennedy Center to individuals who have had a significant impact on American society through humor. George Carlin received it posthumously in 2008.
Did George Carlin have any health issues?

Yes, George Carlin suffered heart attacks in 1978, 1982, and 1991. In 2005, he had a lung infection and narrowed arteries, requiring a double stent procedure.
What was George Carlin's relationship with Joe Pesci?

George Carlin was close friends with actor Joe Pesci. He once joked that he prayed to him instead of God.
How many Grammy Awards did George Carlin win?

George Carlin won five Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album. His albums FM & AM 1972 and Jammin’ in New York 1993 are among his winners.
What was the Seven Dirty Words routine?

George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words routine listed seven words he claimed could not be said on television. It became a landmark case on free speech and broadcast indecency.
Did George Carlin have a role on a children's show?

Yes, George Carlin played Mr. Conductor on the children’s show Shining Time Station from 1989. He considered it community service.
What was George Carlin's birth name?

His birth name was George Denis Patrick Carlin. He was named after his uncle George Beary.
Where is George Carlin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

George Carlin’s star is located at 1555 Vine Street in Hollywood, California. It was awarded for live theatre.
How many times was George Carlin married?

George Carlin was married twice: to Brenda Carlin from 1961 until her death in 1997, and to Sally Wade from 1998 until his death in 2008.
What was George Carlin's first TV appearance?

George Carlin made early TV appearances on shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1962. He later became the first host of Saturday Night Live in 1975.
Did George Carlin have any children?

Yes, he had one daughter, Kelly Carlin, born in 1963. She is his only child and a producer.
What was George Carlin's educational background?

He attended Catholic schools in New York City, including Cardinal Hayes High School from which he was expelled and Bishop Dubois High School.
What is the Comedy Hall of Fame?

The Comedy Hall of Fame inducts comedians who have made significant contributions. George Carlin was inducted in November 1994.
Did George Carlin have any famous quotes?

Yes, many quotes are attributed to George Carlin, but he warned that many online are falsely attributed. He wrote only from his albums, books, or HBO shows.
What was George Carlin's net worth?

Net worth is not specified in the source. Carlin had financial troubles in the late 1970s due to IRS issues but recovered with his HBO specials.
What was George Carlin's first Grammy?

His first Grammy was for Best Comedy Album in 1972 for FM & AM. The album also included his famous Seven Dirty Words routine.
Did George Carlin ever host Saturday Night Live?

Yes, George Carlin was the first-ever host of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975.
What happened to George Carlin's first wife?

Brenda Carlin died of cancer on May 11, 1997, one day before George’s sixtieth birthday. She had been his executive producer.
How many grandchildren does George Carlin have?

The source does not mention grandchildren. His daughter Kelly Carlin may have children, but it is not recorded.
Did George Carlin have any pets?

The source does not mention pets. It is not known if he owned any.
What was George Carlin's favorite word?

Not explicitly stated, but he had a fascination with words and wordplay. He enjoyed dissecting meanings and exploring profanity.
Was George Carlin in the military?

Yes, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a radar technician. He was court-martialed three times during his service.
What did George Carlin think of religion?

He was critical of organized religion and often mocked it in his routines. He was raised Catholic but became a skeptic.
How many albums did George Carlin release?

The source lists multiple Grammy-winning albums, but the exact number of albums is not given. He released several comedy albums throughout his career.
What is the Emperor Has No Clothes Award?

This award is given by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to recognize individuals who speak out about religion. George Carlin received it.
Did George Carlin ever win an Emmy?

The source does not mention an Emmy. His television awards include a star on the Walk of Fame and the Mark Twain Prize.
What was George Carlin's first film role?

The source does not specify his first film role. He appeared in movies like Dogma 1999 and Jersey Girl 2004.

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Audited & updated by

Olivia has 6 years of experience writing biographical profiles and still approaches every subject like it's the first one. She covers everyone from debut musicians to Hall of Fame athletes to novelists most people have never heard of. She finds something worth reading in all of them. Her drafts tend to come in already clean, which her editor appreciates. She says good writing is just good thinking written down. Hard to argue with that.

Published on June 22, 2026

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