Scott Adams, the creator of the widely recognized comic strip Dilbert, has passed away at the age of 68. His death was confirmed by his first ex-wife, Shelly Miles, who noted that Adams had been in hospice care due to prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. He was at home in Northern California when he died. Adams reflected on his life, stating, “I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had.”
Dilbert, which debuted in 1989, gained immense popularity, appearing in over 2,000 newspapers and in multiple languages. The strip is known for its satirical take on corporate culture, featuring a cast of characters that included the titular character, Dilbert, a quintessential office worker. Adams received the National Cartoonist Society’s prestigious Reuben Award in 1997, and Dilbert was recognized by Time magazine as one of the most influential cultural icons in America.
However, Adams's career faced a dramatic downturn in 2023 when he made controversial and racist remarks during a YouTube broadcast, which led to numerous newspapers, including several in Canada, dropping the strip from their publications. His syndication company, Andrews McMeel Universal, ended its association with him following these comments. In response to the backlash, Adams attempted to maintain his presence by relaunching the comic under a new title on a platform favored by conservative audiences.
Adams's legacy is marked by both his contributions to humor in the workplace and the controversies that surrounded him in the later years of his career. He is remembered by some, including President Donald Trump, as a significant cultural figure who influenced discussions on office dynamics and social issues.