NEWS

Comedian George Carlin dead at age 71

Staff Writer

Rockford Register Star

George Carlin performs Nov. 21, 1982, at the MetroCentre in Rockford. "The worst-sounding food of all time has to be head cheese," he told the Rockford crowd. "I can't even look at that sign, you look at it. I'll be down at the baloney." Other foods simply don't look right, he said, citing lobster and crab. "Anything walking at me sideways and with big pinchers is not for eating. In fact, I say step on it."

A publicist for George Carlin says the legendary comedian has died of heart failure at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif.

Jeff Abraham says Carlin went into St. John's Health Center on Sunday afternoon, complaining of chest pain. Carlin died at 5:55 p.m. PDT. He was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. It was announced Tuesday that Carlin was being awarded the 11th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The dean of counterculture comedians, Carlin constantly pushed the envelop with his jokes, particularly with a routine called "The Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV."

George Carlin performs Nov. 21, 1982, at the MetroCentre in Rockford. Carlin, who had suffered a heart attack in May 1982, told the Rockford crowd, "As of this moment, I'm leading Richard Pryor in heart attacks, 2-to-1. Richard is still ahead of me in burning himself up 1-to-nothing."