10 Famous Comedians With Dark Sides You Didn’t Know About
9. Bill Hicks
Like all great comedians, Bill Hicks was a clever critic of all that is wrong with the world; fearlessly holding a mirror to Americas most fetid parts of society: consumerism, superficiality and oppression. He conveyed it all in a dark, charismatic and delightfully sweary manner; but most important of all, he was objectionably honest. Hicks described himself as a hate camel - sucking in the worst of the world and storing it until it spewed out in a torrent of spit and venom - he obviously wasnt joking. Bill was a very nasty drunk and took a concoction of strong drugs, primarily mushrooms, ecstasy and cocaine; which led to a far darker personality.
His fellow comic and friend John Farneti described Hicks in an interview with the Sunday Herald in 2002: Bill definitely struggled with depression in his twenties - almost never would he feel good and secure. He told me he had a breakthrough which was if I appreciate something, itll be taken away from me. Theres no way you can ever be secure in that.
Hicks died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the drastically young age of 32, but his legacy as the angry young man of comedy lives on. What makes Hicks such a significant figure in comedy history is his ability to powerfully embody the anger felt by the majority of society, targeting authority figures were most cynical of: politicians, corporations and the media... and it wasn't just a stage act. As said by Virginia Tooper: When the mouth is open for laughter, you may be able to shove in a little food for thought.
Bill's Best Lines
I don't know what you all believe, and I don't really care but you have to admit that beliefs are odd. Lots of Christians wear crosses around their necks you really think when Jesus comes back, he ever wants to see a f*cking cross?
How many people disapprove of the job the Conservatives are doing? Seventy percent. Of those same people, how many will vote for them again? ...Seventy percent. What the f*ck? Where did they take this poll, at an S&M parlor?
"I never got along with my dad. Kids used to come up to me and say, 'My dad can beat up your dad.' I'd say 'Yeah? When?