Bill Hicks

Biography

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.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Zeitgeist: The Movie (2007) — Self (voice) (archive sound)
2. American: The Bill Hicks Story (2010) — Self
3. Bill Hicks: Revelations (1993) — Self
4. Bill Hicks: Relentless (1992) — Self
5. Bill Hicks: Sane Man (1989) — Self
6. Heckler (2007) — Self
7. Totally Bill Hicks (1998) — Self
8. Bill Hicks: It's Just a Ride (1994) — Self
9. One Night Stand (1989)
10. Rodney Dangerfield: Nothin' Goes Right (1988) — Self
11. Ninja Bachelor Party (1991) — Dr. Death
12. Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen (1988) — Self
13. Bill Hicks Live: Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-up Comedian (2004) — Himsef
14. Outlaw Comic: The Censoring of Bill Hicks (2003) — Self (archive footage)
15. The Reality of Me (2012) — Self
16. Bill Hicks: Igby's, LA (1994) — Self
17. Bill Hicks: Reflections (2015) — Self (archive footage)
18. Bill Hicks: One Night Stand (1991) — Self
19. The Word (1990)
20. Bill Hicks: At the Laff Stop (1993)
21. Bill Hicks: Bill Loses it in Chicago (1989) — Self
22. Bill Hicks: The Funny Farm (1990) — Self
23. Bill Hicks: United States of Advertising (1993) — Self
24. But... Seriously (1994) — Self (archive footage)
25. Sacred Cow Halloween Special (1993)
26. Bill Hicks: At the Edinburgh Festival (1991) — Self
27. Bill Hicks Hosts the Adult Video Awards (1990) — Self
28. Impact Video Magazine (1989)
29. Comedy Knockouts (2003) — Self (archive footage)
30. The Best of Midnight Rider (2002) — Self (archive footage)
31. On The Seventh Day - Bill Hicks At The Cult Compound (1994) — Himself

Directed

1. Ninja Bachelor Party (1991) — Director