The New York Public Library will be closed from May 25 to May 27.
Listen to audio on your iPhone or iPad
Viewing videos on NYPL.org requires Adobe Flash Player 9 or higher.
George Carlin is remembered for his unique and quintessentially New York voice, his coruscating mastery of the English language and his devastatingly funny insights into such timeless human follies as war, class, moral hypocrisy, God and golf.
Live from the NYPL presents an evening to honor the publication of George Carlin's posthumous “sortabiography” Last Words (written with Tony Hendra).
Whoopi Goldberg will host an eclectic gathering of comedic and cultural icons and friends who come together to celebrate George Carlin’s life, art, extraordinary half-century in comedy and broad cultural influence with readings, anecdotes, memories, personal tributes as well nostalgic selections from some of the greatest performance art of the 20th century - by the guest of honor himself.
About George Carlin
Born in New York City in 1937, George Dennis Patrick Carlin was one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time. He appeared on The Tonight Show more than 130 times, starred in an unprecedented 14 HBO Specials, hosted the first Saturday Night Live and penned three New York Times bestselling books. Of the 23 solo albums recorded by Mr. Carlin, 11 were Grammy nominated and he took home the coveted statue five times including a 2001 Grammy win for Best Spoken Comedy Album for his reading of his best seller Brain Droppings. In 2002, Carlin was awarded the “Freedom of Speech Award” by the First Amendment Center in cooperation with the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, and he was the named 11th recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in June of 2008. George Carlin passed away at age 71 on June 22, 2008 in Santa Monica, California.
Shadows (1826). NYPL Art and Architecture Collection.
One of 700,000 pictures in the NYPL Digital Gallery
Comments
Thanks for this.
Submitted by JamieC on September 6, 2011 at 5:25 AM.
when Carlin died I was really confused why it wasn't a big deal in the media as it should have been. this is from my perspective living in the uk. his material will echo across the world(on youtube and the likes) as long as the technology exists and it will never cease to inspire others.
Carlin
Submitted by Anonymous on September 17, 2011 at 11:03 PM.
It was a huge deal to some of us. BEFORE he died, I remember thinking, "What are we going to do when he dies?" We could use him, and his brain, and his heart -- every day.
But I thank him for the time that he gave us. Thanks to the NYPL for posting and hosting this.