Object Details
- Exhibition Label
- Born New York City
- George Carlin was an American stand-up comedian known for his blunt and unapologetic approach to taboo subjects, including politics, language, psychology and religion. Carlin’s “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” routine led to his arrest in 1972 for violating obscenity laws. The routine later became central to the 1978 U.S. Supreme Court case F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation. In a 5–4 decision, the Court affirmed the government’s power to censor material on public airwaves.
- Carlin was a frequent performer and guest host on The Tonight Show during Johnny Carson’s tenure as host. He also appeared in numerous films, including the cult classics Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991). He starred in the sitcom The George Carlin Show from 1993 to 1995 and released fourteen HBO comedy specials. In 2008, Carlin was posthumously awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
- Data Source
- National Portrait Gallery
- Artist
- Arthur Grace, born 7 May 1947
- Sitter
- George Denis Patrick Carlin, 12 May 1937 - 22 Jun 2008
- Date
- 1990 (printed 2010)
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- Medium
- Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions
- Image: 37.8 x 38 cm (14 7/8 x 14 15/16")
- Sheet: 50.5 x 40.6 cm (19 7/8 x 16")
- Type
- Photograph
