George Carlin was most known the “7 Words You Can’t Say on Television” but his reputation goes far beyond his any single joke.
Carlin was considered the comedian’s comedian of his generation. Despite being on TV since the 1950s, Carlin’s career started booming in the 1970s. He was arrested for obscenity during a performance in 1972, generating nationwide press for his civil disobedience. On stage, Carlin liked discussing idiosyncrasies in American culture. His classic “Seven words” bit juxtaposed Americans’ sensitivity to crass language on television despite the violent, bloody footage that aired during the Vietnam War.
Carlin also appeared in many movies. He played a Rufus in the Bill & Ted series, a cab driver in Car Wash, voiced Fillmore in Cars, and appeared in three Kevin Smith movies: Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back and Jersey Girl.
In addition to a dozen-plus HBO specials, Carlin also hosted the first-ever episode of Saturday Night Life in 1975; played George O’Grady on the short-lived George Carlin Show; and narrated Thomas: The Tank Engine and Friends during its four-year run. Carlin was named ranked #2 in Comedy Central’s 100 greatest comedians of all-time, trailing only Richard Pryor.
He also published 3 books, 2 of wich won grammy’s and one that was critically acclaimed best seller they are, in chronological order,
Brain Droppings, Napalm & Silly Putty, and When Will Jesus Bring The Pork Chops.
Carlin racked up numerous Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Recording over a span of 25 years. The first came in 1972 for FM & AM . In 1993, Carlin won again for Jammin’ in New York. In 2001 and 2002, he won back-to-back Grammys for Brain Droppings and Napalm & Silly Putty, respectively.
His final Grammy came posthumously in 2009 for It’s Bad for Ya.
Widely considered one of the best comics to ever live, his ability to use the english language as a tool for thought, and laughter is something that he did better than anyone else, influencing a generation of comedians to follow in his foot steps.
Carlin passed away from heart failure on June 22, 2008.
ComedyHawaii and Bar Seven have honored thier comic with a drink named after him on the HAHA Happy hour menu, Ingredients: Vodka, Schnapps, and Sprite
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