George Carlin Bio: Age, Net Worth, Height, Movies, TV Shows, Wife, Daughter, Awards, Books

George Denis Patrick Carlin also known as George Carlin is a prominent American stand-up comedian, actor, author, and social critic known for his sharp, fearless, and intellectually rigorous comedy that challenged authority, language, religion, and American culture.

With his iconic Seven Dirty Words routine and groundbreaking specials like Class Clown and Jammin’ in New York, he became one of the most influential comedians of the 20th century, earning five Grammy Awards and shaping generations of comedians through his observational brilliance and uncompromising honesty.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: George Denis Patrick Carlin
• Stage Name: George Carlin
• Born: May 12, 1937
• Age: 71 years old at death
• Died: June 22, 2008
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Irish-American
• Occupation: Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Author, Social Critic
• Height: 5 feet 8 inches
• Religion: Atheist
• Parents: Patrick Joseph Carlin and Mary Bearey Carlin
• Siblings: Patrick Carlin
• Spouse: Sally Wade
• Children: Kelly Carlin
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $10 million USD

Early Life and Education

George Carlin was born on May 12, 1937, in New York City, New York, United States. He was brought up by his parents, Patrick Joseph Carlin, an advertising executive, and Mary Bearey Carlin, a secretary, in a working-class Irish Catholic family in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan after his parents separated when he was two months old.

He grew up with one older brother, Patrick Carlin. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School and briefly enrolled at Rhodes High School before dropping out at age 16. He joined the United States Air Force in 1954, serving as a radar technician, and began performing comedy while in the military. His ethnicity is Irish-American, and his religion is Atheist.

Career

George Carlin began his professional path performing in nightclubs and on radio after leaving the Air Force. He gained early fame as a clean-cut comedian on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show in the 1960s before undergoing a radical transformation in the late 1960s that aligned him with the counterculture.

His breakthrough came with the 1972 album Class Clown, featuring the legendary Seven Dirty Words routine that led to a landmark Supreme Court case on broadcast indecency. He released over a dozen HBO specials including Jammin’ in New York, Back in Town, and It’s Bad for Ya, each packed with sharp social commentary on politics, religion, consumerism, and language.

He authored three bestselling books and appeared in films such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. From a rebellious New York kid to one of comedy’s most respected voices, he used humor to expose hypocrisy and celebrate critical thinking. His influence remains enormous, with countless comedians citing him as a major inspiration. He continued performing and writing until his death from heart failure in 2008.

Social Media

• George Carlin does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

George Carlin was 71 years old at the time of his death and his height was 5 feet 8 inches. He was first married to Brenda Hosbrook from 1961 until her death in 1997. He later married Sally Wade in 1998.

He had one daughter, Kelly Carlin, with Brenda and no other children. He battled heart problems and substance issues earlier in life but remained intellectually active until the end.

Net Worth

George Carlin‘s net worth is estimated at $10 million USD adjusted for the value of his estate and ongoing royalties. His income primarily came from stand-up comedy tours and HBO specials, Grammy-winning albums, book sales, film and television appearances, and residuals from his comedy catalog.