About
Legendary comedian who has had a record released every decade for over 50 years and received 11 Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album. He also voiced Grandpa Smurf in the popular 1980s television cartoon The Smurfs and in the 2011 film adaptation.
Before Fame
He studied the art of cartooning at Dayton Art Institute after serving in the Marine Corps. He became a comedian after competing in a talent show with the encouragement of his wife.
Trivia
In 1991, he earned an Emmy Award for his supporting role in Davis Rules, and in 1999, he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the highest honor a comedian can receive.
Family Life
He was married to Eileen Winters for sixty years before she passed away from breast cancer. He had a son named Jay and a daughter named Lucinda. His mother, Alice Kilgore Rodgers, was a radio personality.
Associated With
George Carlin was a huge influence on his work.