George Carlin: May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008

American comedic legend George Carlin passed away yesterday at the age of 71.

While most people reading this will know Carlin from his roles in our lifetime - as Rufus in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure or various parts in Kevin Smith's Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back and Jersey Girl - it's Carlin's stand-up work were he became a household name.

His "Seven Dirty Words" routine is legendary, having been the focus of Supreme Court debates which resulted in his act being censored for the airwaves due to the people who might be listening.

The first ever host of Saturday Night Live - which he performed high on cocaine for a good solid week - Carlin is one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all-time. Only Richard Pryor had more of an impact than Carlin and that's saying something.

Some amusing anecdotes from the career of George Carlin:

• Played the role of "Mr. Conductor" on Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
• He's the voice of Fillmore, the VW Microbus in Cars.
• He had survived three heart attacks (Stubborn bastard!)
  

George Carlin was a true comedic legend; he spoke about things other people wouldn't and marched to the beat of his own drum from the very beginning.

My only question now is did the man who built a routine around the Ten Commandments and Religion being bullshit end up in heaven or in hell?

Rest in Peace George...