Scott Adams, the renowned creator of the iconic comic strip “Dilbert,” has passed away at the age of 68. His death occurred on Tuesday, following a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. The announcement was made via a pre-prepared statement, which was read by his ex-wife, Shelly Adams, during a livestream. In his statement, Adams reflected on his life, expressing, “I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had.”
Adams, who launched “Dilbert” in 1989, derived inspiration from his experiences as a bank teller and a manager at Pacific Bell. The comic strip, which humorously critiques corporate culture and middle management, began as sketches during monotonous meetings. Over the years, it evolved into a significant franchise for Adams, including companion books, a short-lived animated series, and even a burrito line. At its peak in 2013, “Dilbert” was syndicated in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide.
The trajectory of Adams’s career took a dramatic turn in 2023, when he lost more than half of his syndication contracts following controversial remarks made on his podcast. While discussing a Rasmussen Reports poll indicating that 53% of Black Americans believed it was “OK to be white,” Adams referred to Black Americans as a “hate group.” He stated, “I don’t want to have anything to do with them,” advising white individuals to “get the hell away from Black people.” Although he later characterized these comments as “hyperbole,” they were not his first foray into contentious discussions. In 2006, he questioned the Holocaust death toll on his blog, and in 2011, he made statements about the treatment of women that sparked further backlash.
Adams was a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, and he openly discussed the repercussions of his conservative stance. In October, he stated on his podcast, “I sacrificed everything. I sacrificed my social life. I sacrificed my career. I sacrificed my reputation. I may have sacrificed my health. And I did that because I believed it was worth it.”
Trump paid tribute to Adams on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing him as a “fantastic guy” who “will be truly missed.” He acknowledged Adam’s struggle with illness, stating, “He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners.”
Adams’s legacy as a pioneer of office humor and corporate satire will continue to resonate, even as discussions about his controversial opinions persist. The impact of his work, both celebrated and criticized, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American comic strips and societal commentary.
