Bill Hicks
William Melvin "Bill" Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994) was an American stand-up comedian and satirist. His humor challenged mainstream beliefs, aiming to "enlighten people to think for themselves." Hicks used a ribald approach to express his material, describing himself as "Chomsky with dick jokes." His jokes included general discussions about society, religion, politics, philosophy and personal issues. Hicks' material was often deliberately controversial and steeped in dark comedy. In both his stand-up performances, and during interviews, he often criticized consumerism, superficiality, mediocrity and banality within the media and popular culture, describing them as oppressive tools of the ruling class, meant to "keep people stupid and apathetic." Hicks died of pancreatic cancer, which had spread to his liver, in 1994 at the age of 32. In the years after his death, his work and legacy achieved significant admiration and acclaim, of numerous comedians, writers, actors and musicians alike. He was listed as the 19th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central in 2004, and 6th greatest in 2007 and 4th greatest by Channel 4 in 2010.
Known For
Credits
- 2015 · Bill Hicks: Reflections as
- 2012 · The Reality of Me as Self
- 2010 · American: The Bill Hicks Story as Self
- 2007 · Heckler as Self
- 2007 · Zeitgeist as Self (voice) (archive sound)
- 2004 · Bill Hicks Live: Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-up Comedian as Himsef
- 2003 · Comedy Knockouts as Self (archive footage)
- 2003 · Outlaw Comic: The Censoring of Bill Hicks as Self (archive footage)
- 2002 · The Best of Midnight Rider as Self (Archive Footage)
- 1998 · Totally Bill Hicks as Self
- 1994 · Bill Hicks: It's Just a Ride as Himself
- 1994 · But... Seriously as Self (archive footage)
- 1994 · Bill Hicks: Igby's, LA as Himself
- 1993 · Bill Hicks: United States of Advertising as Himself
- 1993 · Bill Hicks: At the Laff Stop as
- 1993 · Bill Hicks: Revelations as Himself
- 1992 · Bill Hicks: Relentless as Himself
- 1991 · Bill Hicks: One Night Stand as Himself
- 1991 · Ninja Bachelor Party as Dr. Death
- 1991 · Bill Hicks: At the Edinburgh Festival as Himself
- 1990 · Bill Hicks Hosts the Adult Video Awards as Himself
- 1990 · Bill Hicks: The Funny Farm as Himself
- 1989 · Bill Hicks: Sane Man as Himself
- 1989 · One Night Stand as
- 1989 · Bill Hicks: Bill Loses it in Chicago as Himself
- 1989 · Impact Video Magazine as
- 1988 · Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen as Himself
- 1988 · Rodney Dangerfield: Nothin' Goes Right as himself