Scott Adams, Creator of Dilbert, Passes Away at 68

Scott Adams, the renowned creator of the comic strip Dilbert, has passed away at the age of 68 after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His death was announced on Tuesday by members of The Scott Adams School, previously known as Coffee With Scott Adams. Adams had become a prominent figure in both comic artistry and political commentary in recent years.

In February 2023, a controversial statement made during one of his live streams led to the removal of Dilbert from various newspaper syndications across the United States, including The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press. During this broadcast, Adams described Black people as a “hate group,” which sparked significant backlash.

Adams revealed his cancer diagnosis in May 2023, coinciding with former President Joe Biden announcing his own battle with prostate cancer. In a poignant statement, Adams remarked, “I have the same cancer that Joe Biden has… I expect to be checking out from this domain sometime this summer.” He expressed empathy for Biden, saying, “I’d like to extend my respect and compassion for the ex-president and his family.”

A Creative Journey

Born in Windham, New York, in 1957, Scott Adams began drawing comics at the tender age of six, inspired by Charles Schulz‘s Peanuts. After graduating with a BA in economics from Hartwick College in 1979, he moved to California to pursue his career. He held various positions at Crocker National Bank before earning an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley in 1986.

Adams created Dilbert while working at Pacific Bell, launching the comic in 1989. The title was suggested by a former boss, and the characters drew inspiration from his experiences with coworkers. By 1994, Dilbert was syndicated in over 400 newspapers, leading Adams to become a full-time cartoonist the following year.

His first book, The Dilbert Principle, was published in 1996, and he received the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist in 1997. The comic strip was adapted into a television series in 1999, for which Adams served as executive producer and showrunner.

Personal Life and Legacy

Adams married Shelly Miles in 2006, becoming the stepfather to her two children, Savannah and Justin. Tragically, Justin passed away from a fentanyl overdose in 2018. Although Adams and Miles divorced in 2014, they maintained a friendship. In 2019, Adams announced his engagement to Kristina Basham, and they married in July 2020 but divorced in March 2022.

Scott Adams leaves behind a legacy as a pioneering comic artist and a controversial commentator. His work not only entertained millions but also sparked discussions on workplace culture and societal issues. The impact of his career will resonate in both the comic world and beyond for years to come.