George Carlin Net Worth: What Caused the Comedian’s Demise?
George Carlin’s unique style and cutting social satire made him a renowned figure in the world of comedy. A whole new wave of comics took cues from his biting wit and sardonic take on language and culture.
Carlin had a lot of success, but his life was also defined by tragedy and victory. This article will explore George Carlin’s wealth, professional life, personal life, and legacy.
Quick Facts About George Carlin
Name | George Carlin |
Profession |
American Comedian
|
Date of Birth | 12 May 1937 |
Birthplace |
Manhattan, New York, United States
|
Gender | Male |
Age |
71 years old (at the time of his death)
|
Net Worth |
$20 Million
|
George Carlin’s Net Worth
George Carlin earned more than $5 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid comedians of his era. He earned a fortune of $20 million throughout the course of his career.
Early Years of George Carlin
On May 12, 1937, George Denis Patrick Carlin was born in the Bronx. He was brought up in a Catholic environment by his Irish immigrant parents, Mary and Patrick Carlin. Carlin’s mother was a secretary, while his father was the national advertising manager for the New York Sun.
Carlin attended high school in Manhattan after his family relocated there. He had trouble in school but found his calling as a disc jockey when he was a teenager.
Carlin was raised in a Catholic family but did not share his parents’ faith. Due to his father’s drinking, his parents divorced when he was two months old, and his mother and elder brother, Patrick, Jr., reared him.
George Carlin’s Career Journey
How Did He Starts His Career?
When Carlin was old enough, he enlisted in the Air Force and became a radar technician. His first foray into show business was as a disc jockey for local Shreveport radio station KJOE, where he met with mixed success.
In 1959, he teamed up with fellow DJ Jack Burns to create a comedic act. After settling in Hollywood, the duo produced a morning show called The Wright Brothers for KDAY. After working as a team for two years, they decided to move in different directions, but they remained close friends.
Carlin’s signature blend of satire, social criticism, and linguistic precision did not emerge until the late 1960s. In 1967, he published his debut comedy CD titled “Take-Offs and Put-Ons,” which included both skits and stand-up performances.
Career Success
George adopted the character that would bring him fame in the 1970’s by altering his appearance and daily habits. Carlin’s career took off, and he became a household name and a lightning rod for debate among comedy fans.
His successful albums of comedy, such as “FM & AM” (1972), “Class Clown” (1972), and “Occupation: Foole” (1973), demonstrated his acerbic wit and boldness in confronting conventional wisdom.
Many of his television performances, especially on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” were greatly anticipated. On October 11, 1975, George presented the pilot episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Carlin’s routines, beginning in the late ’80’s, centered on a sociological critique of contemporary America.
He frequently made satirical remarks about the excesses of American culture and remarked on current political events in the United States. “It’s Bad for Ya,” his final HBO special, was shot less than four months before his untimely demise.
When Did George Carlin Face Censorship or a Ban?
Throughout his career, George Carlin was regularly barred from performing. The Supreme Court decision that arose from his routine “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” was a watershed moment for the fight against obscenity in the media.
Personal Life
In August of 1960, Carlin was on tour and stopped in Dayton, Ohio, when he met Brenda Hosbrook. In 1961, they tied the knot in Dayton, Ohio, at her parents’ house. Kelly Carlin was born to the couple on June 15, 1963. The pair returned to Las Vegas to reaffirm their marriage vows in 1971. Brenda passed away on May 11, 1997, from liver cancer, the day before Carlin turned 60.
He met comedy writer Sally Wade not long after his wife passed away, and they were married in a small ceremony a year later. He passed away in 2008, just two days before they would have celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. Sally Wade documented their courtship in “The George Carlin Letters: The Permanent Courtship of Sally Wade,” a book released in 2011.
When Did George Carlin Die?
At the age of 71, he passed away at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California on June 22, 2008 due to heart failure. His final show at The Orleans Hotel and Casino was a week before his death.
Final Words
After taking a break in the 1970’s, Carlin resumed his career and became one of the most successful stand-up comedians of the 1980’s, when he was earning a quarter of a million dollars annually. Up to the year of his death in 2008, he appeared on stage, solving bits and delivering some of the funniest performances ever.
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