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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.

