GEORGE CARLIN: 20 CAREER MILESTONES
GEORGE CARLIN passed away on Sunday at the age of 71.
He was far more than just a comedian.
He did it all – from TV to movies to nightclubs to record albums to books to the infamous Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television, which resulted in a landmark Supreme court case revolving around the principles of censorship and free speech.
He could be inordinately crude but he was always truthful and ultimately fearless. He didn’t mind taking it to the wall and saying things out loud that everyone else was thinking anyway.
He had guts.
As the understandable tributes poured in over the last few days, his family made some public statements. One was from his daughter. She talked about what a great father George was and how he had a gentle side to him that most people never knew about. I had long suspected that fact. It came as no surprise to me.
George enjoyed illuminating the absurdities of modern life. He didn’t hesitate to skewer institutions that made him angry. But I never saw him be deliberately hurtful or willfully mean to anyone.
This EW photo gallery has pictures from the numerous highlights of his wide ranging career.
George was one of a kind and he will be missed greatly.
To find the gallery, please go here
June 27, 2008 at 6:26 am
I grew up watching his specials on HBO. Like you say, he had guts and didn’t hesitate to speak out about what he thought and observed and felt, lacing everything with a different perspective and gut-splitting comedy. He loved words and he was so gifted with them. One of the best comedians we’ve ever had.
June 27, 2008 at 9:30 pm
George definitely had an enormous impact on our culture. Much more than most people realize, I believe.
He was a maverick but he marched to the beat of his own drummer and possessed a personal kind of integrity that I’m sure had deep meaning to him as an individual.
Anybody that has an active intellect and a bit of rebelliousness in their respective souls will mourn him deeply. I strongly suspect that someone with similar characteristics will not pass this way again. George was a unique individual. They broke that mold the day he was born.
Just wanted to thank you (sincerely and deeply) for the comments this morning, Alison.
I only have a handful of female regulars here (you, Dorothy, k and Marcy – please don’t be upset with me if I forgot anyone – I swear I didn’t mean to – I would never slight anybody deliberately).
But I’m supremely happy to have such an intelligent, articulate, outspoken woman such as yourself visiting CP and contributing to it. You represent the women that I hope are or will be reading the site.
Having you here is wonderful and your comments are always important and insightful. You’ve been an essential part of CP’s early stages and I’d just like you to know how much your presence at the site is valued.
I appreciate it a great deal…