Comedy Loses its Edge: George Carlin Dies at age 71

As many bloggers have posted and mourned, we've lost a comedic genius on Sunday. George Carlin, best known for "Seven Words You Can Never Use on Television," died in Los Angeles, at the age of 71. According to his publicist, the cause of death was heart failure.

Carlin became a stand-up comic in the late 50's, and debuted his first solo guest appearance on "The Merv Griffin Show" in 1965. By the 70's, he was a well-known comedian, and had made more than 80 major television appearances, while regularly being featured in nightclubs in New York and Las Vegas, however he felt his clean-cut image was a lie. It was at this time Carlin reinvented himself to become the comedian we all grew to love; a man who wasn't afraid of words or honesty.

The Associated Press released the above news clip summing up details of his life and death. Carlin will be greatly missed, though his humor and inspiration will live on.

This report was contributed by cas