Scott Adams, the creator of the iconic comic strip Dilbert, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 68, having succumbed to prostate cancer, a disease that had been spreading through his body for some time.
In a poignant and somber video posted on his YouTube channel just hours before his passing, Adams' ex-wife Shelly Miles revealed his untimely demise in a tearful livestream. The farewell message from the renowned cartoonist, who had been battling prostate cancer since May 2023, was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow artists.
Adams' life was marked by both creative triumphs and inflammatory controversies. As the creator of Dilbert, a satirical comic strip that lampooned corporate culture, he gained widespread acclaim for his biting wit and incisive commentary on office politics. The strip's popularity soared during the 1990s, with Adams going on to win several awards, including the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben award in 1997.
However, Adams' shift towards conservative commentary in recent years proved increasingly divisive. His outspoken support for Donald Trump and his questioning of Covid-19 vaccines led to widespread criticism, with many accusing him of promoting misinformation. In a particularly damaging episode, he was forced to apologize after using the N-word during a YouTube livestream, which prompted most US newspapers to drop Dilbert from their publication.
Adams' marriage history was marked by both tumultuous relationships and abrupt breakups. He was married twice before his current spouse, Kristina Basham, whom he wed in 2020 but divorced just two years later. The artist's life was also notable for its literary achievements, with his bestselling book "The Dilbert Principle" published in 1996.
As news of Adams' passing spread, fans and fellow artists took to social media to pay tribute to a man whose irreverent style and biting wit had left an indelible mark on the world of satire. Despite his controversies, his legacy as a pioneering cartoonist and humorist will endure, serving as a reminder of the power of creative expression in shaping public discourse.
In a poignant and somber video posted on his YouTube channel just hours before his passing, Adams' ex-wife Shelly Miles revealed his untimely demise in a tearful livestream. The farewell message from the renowned cartoonist, who had been battling prostate cancer since May 2023, was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow artists.
Adams' life was marked by both creative triumphs and inflammatory controversies. As the creator of Dilbert, a satirical comic strip that lampooned corporate culture, he gained widespread acclaim for his biting wit and incisive commentary on office politics. The strip's popularity soared during the 1990s, with Adams going on to win several awards, including the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben award in 1997.
However, Adams' shift towards conservative commentary in recent years proved increasingly divisive. His outspoken support for Donald Trump and his questioning of Covid-19 vaccines led to widespread criticism, with many accusing him of promoting misinformation. In a particularly damaging episode, he was forced to apologize after using the N-word during a YouTube livestream, which prompted most US newspapers to drop Dilbert from their publication.
Adams' marriage history was marked by both tumultuous relationships and abrupt breakups. He was married twice before his current spouse, Kristina Basham, whom he wed in 2020 but divorced just two years later. The artist's life was also notable for its literary achievements, with his bestselling book "The Dilbert Principle" published in 1996.
As news of Adams' passing spread, fans and fellow artists took to social media to pay tribute to a man whose irreverent style and biting wit had left an indelible mark on the world of satire. Despite his controversies, his legacy as a pioneering cartoonist and humorist will endure, serving as a reminder of the power of creative expression in shaping public discourse.