Bill Hicks

William Melvin Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994) was an American stand-up comedian and satirist. His material— encompassing a wide range of social issues including religion, politics, and philosophy— was controversial and often steeped in dark comedy. At the age of 16, Hicks began performing at the Comedy Workshop in Houston, Texas. He toured the United States extensively and made a number of high-profile television appearances during the 1980s, yet amassed a significant fan base in the United Kingdom, filling large venues during his 1991 tour. He also achieved some recognition as a guitarist and songwriter. Hicks died of pancreatic cancer on February 26, 1994, at the age of 32. In subsequent years his work gained significant acclaim in creative circles – particularly after a series of posthumous album releases – which resulted in a substantial cult following. In 2007, he was number six on Channel 4's list of the "100 Greatest Stand-Up Comics", and rose to No. 4 on the 2010 list. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him number 13 on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.