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Yesterday saw the death of another legend. This time it was the comedian George Carlin. Those unaware of his comedy may know him as Rufus from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and its sequel, Bogus Journey. He died of  heart failure at the age of 71.

Carlin lived in New York city, and made his name in nightclubs throughout the 60s, as well as appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show.  Clean-cut at the time, Carlin decided to change his image to  wearing jeans and donning his famous beard, which set him aside from other comedians at the time.  In the early 70’s Carlin performed his famous bit “7 words you can never say on television“, one of comedy’s most memorable moments. Naturally, Carlin got arrested for obscenities. Carlin’s popularity grew, and he became one of the most frequent guests on Carson’s The Tonight Show, as well as being the first host of Saturday Night Live.

Carlin expectedly became involved in television, even having his own sitcom, and several HBO specials. He got minor roles in cult films, and even voiced a character in the Pixar animation Cars.

As a comedian, Carlin pretty much tore apart almost every institution of modern day life, from love to the family to politics to religion.

Rather than lament about the loss of a comedy great, here’s a few quotes, some of Carlin’s many brilliant lines:

At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom.

Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time.

Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me – they’re cramming for their final exam.

And finally, here is a link to one of Carlin’s pieces on death.

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