Counterculture comedian George Carlin was born May 12, 1937, in the Bronx, New York. A disciple of Lenny Bruce, Carlin was arrested for violating obscenity laws in 1972 after a radio broadcast of an uncensored version of his routine "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Radio or Television." The broadcast became the center of a debate over censorship, and FCC legislation over profanity.

A self-professed atheist and avid cocaine user, Carlin's adversaries deemed him anti-religious and disrespectful of society. Raised in a Roman Catholic home, and having been educated in parochial school, Carlin is said to have developed his negative attitude towards religion during his tenure as an altar boy.

A high school dropout, Carlin enlisted in the army, got his high school equivalency, and moonlighted as a disc jockey at a Louisiana radio station, where he was stationed. In 1959, Carlin teamed up with Texas newscaster, Jack Burns, collaborating on a morning radio show in Fort Worth before relocating to Hollywood, where they attracted Bruce's attention.

He helped Burns and Carlin secure appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. After Burns and Carlin split up, Carlin continued to make numerous appearances on The Tonight Show, as well as, The Merv Griffin Show.

In the early 1960s, Carlin got his start as a stand-up comic performing on the Las Vegas circuit and entertaining TV audiences. Carlin enjoyed moderate success until the mid-70s when he re-invented his image and adopted his less conventional, somewhat vulgar comedy routine.

On October 11, 1975, Carlin became the first host of NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live. Carlin received two Grammy Awards for "FM & AM" (1990) and "Jammin’ in New York" (1992).

To date, he has starred in 11 HBO specials, and published a best-selling book, "Brain Droppings." In addition to his acting, writing and recording, Carlin continues to perform about 150 dates a year on the road.

Carlin was widowed in May 1997, when his wife Brenda died of complications from liver cancer. The two were married for 34 years and had a daughter Kelly. Carlin received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in January of 1987, and was inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame in November of 1994.