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.
| Bill Hicks | |
|---|---|
Hicks at the Laff Stop in 1991 | |
| Birth name | William Melvin Hicks |
| Born | December 16, 1961 Valdosta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 1994 (aged 32) Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Medium |
|
| Years active | 1978–1994 |
| Genres |
|
| Subject(s) |
|
| Signature | |
| Website | billhicks |
At the age of 16, Hicks began performing at the Comedy Workshop in Houston, Texas. During the 1980s, he toured the U.S. extensively and made a number of high-profile television appearances, but he amassed a significant fan base in the UK, 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—and he developed 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 magazine ranked him number 13 on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.