Bill Hicks
Acting
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
Acting30
movieBill Hicks: Reflections
2015
Self (archive footage)
movieHeckler
2007
Self
movieZeitgeist: The Movie
2007
Self (voice) (archive sound)
movieComedy Knockouts
2003
Self (archive footage)
movieOutlaw Comic: The Censoring of Bill Hicks
2003
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Midnight Rider
2002
Self (archive footage)
But... Seriously
1994
Self (archive footage)
movieNinja Bachelor Party
1991
Dr. Death
Writing13
Directing1
movieNinja Bachelor Party
1991
Director
Production1
movieBill Hicks: Sane Man
1989
Executive Producer