George Carlin Born in New York City

Summary

George Denis Patrick Carlin, known professionally as George Carlin, was born on May 12, 1937, in New York City, New York. He began in radio and developed a conventional nightclub act before reinventing himself during the counterculture era as a long-haired social critic. Across albums, television appearances, books, and fourteen HBO comedy specials, Carlin analyzed language, politics, religion, consumer culture, and everyday contradictions. His 1972 routine about words barred from broadcast also became central to the Supreme Court's landmark FCC v. Pacifica Foundation decision on broadcast indecency.