As you may have read already, George Carlin has died of heart failure. I’ve been a huge fan of Carlin since I was 14, when I heard his set on “Airline Announcements“. I first heard it while on a flight, no less, and it really kick-started my interest in comedy.

There’s so much I admire about Carlin – the man is truly a legend and a genius.

He’s never been afraid to say what he believes, no matter how controversial it is. He’s always pushed the boundaries, even to the point of being arrested for his “Seven Dirty Words” routine. A statement released by HBO said that “no performer was more committed to the ideal of freedom of speech”, and that is one of the things that I truly respect him for.

More than just a mere entertainer, he continually questioned commonly accepted beliefs, and in doing so, encouraged and taught us to do the same – to look at the world in a different light, and to always question our beliefs.

Like him or not (and there are definitely some who don’t), you cannot deny the fact that he was a legend, and had a huge influence on the world. By pushing the boundaries, he made a difference, not only to comedy, but even in the legal world – with his “Seven Dirty Words” routine being central to a Supreme Court case.

There’s so much I could write about Carlin, but I could never say it better than his daughter, one of the closest people to him.

“Most people know George Carlin as an icon of comedy and an advocate of free speech. I just know him as Dad … And what a dad he was. He taught me the value of speaking the truth in a world that doesn’t always want to hear it and gave me the gift of laughter. He was loved and revered by so many and will be missed beyond words — but never forgotten.”

R.I.P, George Carlin. Thanks for all you’ve given us. You’re truly a legend, and you’ll never be forgotten.

Picture by thomasroche Picture by Bonnie