The landmark ruling, FCC v Pacifica, in 1978, ruled the material was indecent, but not obscene. He was discharged from the Air Force before his enlistment was complete, and began a full time career in stand up comedy. In his most recent film, Cars, an animated movie, he played the voice of the hippy van. His appearance as Rufus in the movie, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, introduced him to a whole new generation of fans.

His style has changed very little over the years. He was arrested after one public performance. During this time, he developed a comedy routine and began working local clubs. He is famous for his highly irreverent routines.

He followed up this success with several other movies, usually in small and supporting character roles. He passed away at 5:55 pm Sunday at Saint John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. This routine made Carlin extremely popular, but the fame came at the price of legal trouble. He is a notorious atheist, and religion is the subject of much of his humor.

Later, the FCC became embroiled in a case against a radio station that had performed the bit. Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine about seven dirty words you could not say on television. The decision allowed the FCC to restrict broadcasts during periods when children would likely be watching. While stationed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, he began working at a radio station in nearby Shreveport.

He is known by many as the hippy comedian, and has shocked, outraged, offended, and been loved by several generations of comedy fans. A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of his “Filthy Words” routine ultimately reached the US Supreme Court. Only Richard Pryor was ahead of him on the list. Carlin dropped out of high school at the age of 14, and went into the Air Force shortly afterwards.

During this period, Carlin was a regular guest on the Johnny Carson show, and released several albums. He took a few years off at the height of his fame due to illness and when he returned he began to work in films. George Carlin was born on May 12, 1937 in New York, New York. Early in his career he introduced a routine known as The seven words you can not say on television.

His longtime publicist said Carlin, 71, was admitted into the hospital this afternoon after complaining of heart problems. Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. Last year, Carlin celebrated his 50th year in show business and was just tapped last week by the Kennedy Center to receive this year’s Mark Twain Prize, a lifetime achievement award presented to an outstanding comedian. Comedian George Carlin has died from heart failure, reports ET.

In 2004, when Comedy Central named its top 100 Stand Up Comedians of All Time, George Carlin was ranked second. Language, Religion, Politics, and even Natural Disasters are common targets for Carlin’s sharp and caustic wit. Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 pm PDT (2 am British time) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters. Carlin, a big pet guy, would have loved My Best Friend is a Dog.

He has also published several books that contain much of his material, and continues to be active in recording and live performances. He is a master of stand up comedy. He was 71.