Birthday:
12-16-1961
Deathday:
02-26-1994 (32 years)
Birthplace:
Valdosta, Georgia, USA
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.
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.
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Their works
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Bill Hicks Live: Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-up Comedian
Act like Himsef
event2004 star_border 7.2
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Since Bill died in 1993, his work has reached a new audience and he has become a powerful cult figure. The DVD captures Bill at his very best, with three of his legendary filmed performances: "One Night Stand" - the Old Vic Theatre in Chicago (30 min) "Revelations" - the Dominion Theatre in London (65 min) "Relentless" - Bill’s breakout performance at the Montreal Comedy Festival (70 min)
Totally Bill Hicks
Act like Self
event1998 star_border 7.8
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Consisting of two parts: ‘Revelations’, Bill Hicks’ last live performance in the United Kingdom made at the Dominion Theatre; and a documentary about Hicks’ life ‘Just a Ride’ featuring interviews with friends, admirers, and family.
Bill Hicks: Revelations
Act like Himself
event1993 star_border 8
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Bill Hicks in the height of his genius. Recorded at the Dominion Theatre in London, Hicks opens our eyes and minds to the hypocrisy and ludicrousness of the world around us.
Bill Hicks: At the Laff Stop
event1993 star_border 6.9
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Bill performs at the Laff stop in Austin, Texas on June 12, 1993.
Bill Hicks: Bill Loses it in Chicago
Act like Himself
event1989 star_border 4.2
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One of Hicks's most famous quotes was delivered during a gig in Chicago - known s the "Infamous Bill Looses it in Chicago" show - in 1989 (later released as the bootleg I'm Sorry, Folks). After a heckler repeatedly shouted "Free Bird", Hicks screamed that "Hitler had the right idea, he was just an underachiever!" Hicks followed this remark with a misanthropic tirade calling for unbiased genocide against the whole of humanity.
Bill Hicks: Relentless
Act like Himself
event1992 star_border 7.6
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Bill Hicks tells us how he feels about non-smokers, blow-jobs, religion, war and peace, and drugs and music.
Bill Hicks: United States of Advertising
Act like Himself
event1993 star_border 7
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This is Bill Hicks' LIVE final televised interview where he appeared on the Austin, Texas public access television show CapZeyeZ, hosted by Metal Dave. He appeared on this interview prior to his performance at the Laff Stop at which his album "Rant in E Minor" was recorded. With this interview we are privileged with some of Hicks' intuitive criticisms and some "fresh" material.
Ninja Bachelor Party
Act like Dr. Death
event1991 star_border 5.6
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Ninja Bachelor Party is a 1991 low-budget comedy film produced by and starring Bill Hicks, Kevin Booth, and David Johndrow. It is a parody of martial arts movies and was intentionally dubbed improperly. It was filmed throughout Austin, Texas and Houston, Texas over the course of ten years due to the producers not taking the project seriously.
Outlaw Comic: The Censoring of Bill Hicks
Act like Self (archive footage)
event2003 star_border 6.3
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A biographical documentary on the late great comedian Bill Hicks and his career; in particular the censorship by Letterman that scarred it.
Bill Hicks Hosts the Adult Video Awards
Act like Himself
event1990 star_border 8
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Bill Hicks hosts the 1990 Adult Video Awards
Bill Hicks: Igby's, LA
Act like Himself
event1994 star_border 7.6
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A bootloeg of Bill's SECOND to last live performance at Igby's Comedy Club in LA on January 5, 1994.
Heckler
Act like Self
event2007 star_border 5.9
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HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.
Bill Hicks: Sane Man
Act like Himself
event1989 star_border 7.3
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Sane Man was filmed before Bill recorded ‘Dangerous’, his first comedy album, and is a turning point in Hicks’ career. It was the first complete Hicks show ever filmed and Bill pulled out all the stops for the cameras. Completely focused, a newly-sober Hicks paces the stage like a wild animal riffing effortless.
American: The Bill Hicks Story
Act like Self
event2010 star_border 7.4
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American: The Bill Hicks Story is a biographical documentary film on the life of comedian Bill Hicks.
Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen
Act like Himself
event1988 star_border 5.9
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Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen is a stand-up comedy concert film featuring some big name talents before they reached actual stardom. These comedians included Tim Allen, Chris Rock, Bill Hicks, Otto & George and Jackie Martling among others.
Rodney Dangerfield: Nothin' Goes Right
Act like himself
event1988 star_border 7.2
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Rodney Dangerfield hosts a showcase of comics including himself, Robert Schimmel, Bill Hicks, and Andrew Dice Clay, among others.
Bill Hicks: It's Just a Ride
Act like Himself
event1994 star_border 7.4
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Short documentary / tribute to the late, truly great American stand-up comedian Bill Hicks, included as an extra in several box sets. Bill Hicks passed away in 1994, taken tragically young aged only 32. His legend and reputation, however, continue to grow. "It's Just a Ride" is a celebration of his life and work, featuring numerous clips of Bill's many recorded stand-up performances, along with trbutes from Sean Hughes, Eric Bogosian, David Letterman and Eddie Izzard, amongst others.
The Reality of Me
Act like Self
event2012 star_border 7.2
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TROM (The Reality of Me) is an unique free online documentary, since no one has thought of such a documentary from our knowledge. We want to show, as well as we can, the whole picture, an insight into our world, a perspective from which you must extract meanings in order to understand, and curiosity to progress, because there is a lot of such information we call “scientific”. Moreover, we present alternative and existing solutions to radically improve every one's life. If you've never questioned your lifestyle and are well adjusted to our current society, you will, more than likely, get a shock, but if you watch the whole documentary you'll understand why. All chapters and sub-chapters are connected and in order to understand you have to watch the whole documentary, in order.
But... Seriously
Act like Self (archive footage)
event1994 star_border 10
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A documentary juxtaposing the events of the 20th century with the commentary of stand-up comedians.
Zeitgeist
Act like Self (voice) (archive sound)
event2007 star_border 6.9
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A documentary examining possible historical and modern conspiracies surrounding Christianity, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Federal Reserve bank.
Bill Hicks: Reflections
Act like Self (archive footage)
event2015 star_border 6.6
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Comedy Dynamics sits down with Bill Hicks' brother, Steve, who tells old stories, squashes old rumors and reveals the brother and son behind the late comedian. Told amidst old and rare footage, it’s a must watch for any fan.
Impact Video Magazine
event1989 star_border 4
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Counter-culture video magazine created by Stuart Shapiro, featuring Bill Hicks, Robert Williams, Public Enemy, Butthole Surfers, Survival Research Labs, and much more! Hosted by Alex Winter!
Comedy Knockouts
Act like Self (archive footage)
event2003 star_border 6
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Time to throw off the gloves for this exclusive no-holds-barred comedy extravaganza! Make room for the laughter with these never-before-seen stand-up routines from some of America's favorite comedians including Tim Allen, Denis Leary, Ray Romano, Drew Carey, and Brett Butler! Comedy Knockouts presents the rare career-defining routines that propelled this collection of comics to stardom!
Bill Hicks: One Night Stand
Act like Himself
event1991 star_border 6.2
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Bill Hicks shows us his view on smoking, smoking pot, drinking, sex, advertisement and music. It's not a view you hear very often.
The Best of Midnight Rider
Act like Self (Archive Footage)
event2002
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Best bits of the Midnight Rider late night variety stoner comedy show featuring stand up preformances, short cartoons, voice dubbed sketches & independent short films. Stars Jackie M
One Night Stand
(1 ep.)
event1989 star_border 8
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A series of stand-up comedy specials.
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