Person
Bill Hicks
Valdosta, Georgia, USA
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 p…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2015
Bill Hicks: Reflections
Movie Self (archive footage)
-
2013
Bill Hicks Lives
Movie Writer
-
2012
The Reality of Me
Movie Self
-
2010
American: The Bill Hicks Story
Movie Self
-
2007
Heckler
Movie Self
-
2007
Zeitgeist: The Movie
Movie Self (voice) (archive sound)
- 2004
-
2003
Comedy Knockouts
Movie Self (archive footage)
-
2003
Outlaw Comic: The Censoring of Bill Hicks
Movie Self (archive footage)
-
2002
The Best of Midnight Rider
Movie Self (archive footage)
-
1998
Totally Bill Hicks
Movie Self
-
1994
On The Seventh Day - Bill Hicks At The Cult Compound
Movie Himself
-
1994
Bill Hicks: It's Just a Ride
Movie Self
-
1994
But... Seriously
Movie Self (archive footage)
-
1994
Bill Hicks: Igby's, LA
Movie Self
- 1993
More credits
-
1993
Bill Hicks: United States of Advertising
Movie Self
- 1993
-
1993
Bill Hicks: Revelations
Movie Self
-
1993
Denis Leary: No Cure for Cancer
Movie Writer
-
1992
Bill Hicks: Relentless
Movie Self
-
1991
Bill Hicks: One Night Stand
Movie Self
-
1991
Ninja Bachelor Party
Movie Dr. Death
-
1991
Bill Hicks: At the Edinburgh Festival
Movie Self
-
1990
The Word
TV show
-
1990
Bill Hicks Hosts the Adult Video Awards
Movie Self
-
1990
Bill Hicks: The Funny Farm
Movie Self
-
1989
Bill Hicks: Sane Man
Movie Self
-
1989
One Night Stand
TV show
-
1989
Impact Video Magazine
Movie
-
1989
Bill Hicks: Bill Loses it in Chicago
Movie Self
-
1988
Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen
Movie Self
-
1988
Rodney Dangerfield: Nothin' Goes Right
Movie Self
