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Home > Blogs > Uncorked > Archives > 2008 > June > 23 > Entry
George Carlin had a distinctly Dayton (and distant family) connection
George Carlin, who died last night in California at age 71, had a powerful Dayton connection. And I had a very tenuous connection to him.
Carlin’s first wife Brenda, who died in 1997, grew up in Dayton. Carlin met Brenda Hosbrook when she was a hostess at the Racquet Club. Early in his career in the 1960s — before he grew his beard and turned his comedy into a counterculture tour-de-force — Carlin would bring his “Hippy-Dippy Weather Man” act to Suttmiller’s (now Celebrity) on North Main Street with some frequency.
Back then, Carlin was a favorite in the Fisher household, because we claimed a family connection to him, tenuous as it was. George’s father-in-law, Arthur Hosbrook, was my dad’s second cousin, which made us what, exactly, to George Carlin? Well, absolutely nothing, I think, but that didn’t stop my parents and I from calling him “Cousin George.” At least, until “Seven Words You Can’t Say On Television” came out, after which my parents’ enthusiasm for cousin George cooled considerably, while mine — along with every other member of my generation — warmed just as considerably. (click here for a photo gallery of Carlin.)
It was Carlin who delivered one of the funniest moments I’ve every experienced in a funeral home.
When Art Hosbrook died several years back, George spoke at his funeral here in Dayton. I can still remember George striding toward the little podium set up right in front of the open casket that contained his father-in-law. He faced the audience for a moment, paused, turned his head toward the casket where his father-in-law lay, and said, “Pardon my back, Art.” The people in the audience tried very hard to stifle their laughter, with varying degrees of success. He then went on to deliver a very heartfelt, straightforward eulogy.
A sneaky, surreptitious moment of irreverence at a most unexpected time — and vintage George Carlin.
RIP, Cousin George.
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Comments
By Z.S.
June 24, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
As a kid,I found a crate of records (albums)in my mom’s basement Richard Pryor, and George Carlin, being African American i was familiar with Richard Pryor… after listening to George… I was a Fan and to this day I found him enlightening, funny, brutally honest. and for that I will miss his humor. thank god for me being a nosey 11 year old perhaps I would have never found those records.By Mark Fisher
June 24, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
In my initial post, I had the wrong first name for Arthur Hosbrook, Brenda Carlin’s father. I’ve corrected the mistake, and thank you to Cheryl for pointing it out.By Wolverine
June 23, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
And by the way dufus, who goes to the funeral of his dad’s second cousin’s son-in-law? Who even knows them? I’m sure if we try really hard, we can find a distant relationship to anyone. This is silly. And to call him cousin? he was some distant in-law. Not related to you! And he probably never had a clue who you are.By Wolverine
June 23, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
This is why blogging should be a crime. What a bunch of stupid drivel. Yes, I liked Carling, but blogging just shows the stupidity of our citizens.By blueandgoldblues
June 23, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
“Wonderful WINO,” “AM & FM,” “Class Clown,” his portrayal as “the conductor” on PBS’ “Shining Time Station” and “The Hair Piece” were his best. “Seven words” and his 80s/90s and post 9/11 cynicism turned me away as a former fan. Hope his stay in Purgatory will be a breif one as he becomes purified and forgiven. I pray he will be.By Carlin Fan
June 23, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
HuberTucky I feel sorry for you. You are obviously clueless…..By Carlin Fan
June 23, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
HuberTucky I feel sorry for you. You are obviously clueless…..By cheryl
June 23, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
I thought Brenda’s father was named Art and her stepmom or mom was Erma, is that not correct? Maybe I never knew his formal name. We had a family tie also (by marriage)By Laurie Kronmiller
June 23, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
George Carlin has made so many hours of my life happier with his humor. Though sometimes cynical, he often said what many of us were thinking, but didn’t have the guts to say out loud. That brought even more laughs!! He will be truly missed, but always with us in our hearts!! Bon Voyage!!By HuberTucky
June 23, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
A GREAT Carlin quote: “Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?” If you liked Carlin then this is a MUST view! — HILARIOUS! George Carlin - Religion is bullsh!t http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o P.S. to John — George Carlin was not naive enough to believe in god or other imaginary beings.By BOB
June 23, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
John that is between him and what he finds to be true. Dont u just hate it when people make you think??By John
June 23, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
I wonder if he believes in God now?By Eve
June 23, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
It was Thanksgiving ‘96 and a student in an art class shared with me that his family was having Thanksgiving “somewhere secret” because their “Uncle George” was coming. He knew this uncle was famous for some reason, but wasn’t aware of why exactly. He then mentioned his “Aunt Brenda” being married to George. I remembered reading about George Carlin marrying someone from the Dayton area long ago. I took a chance and asked if this uncle was George Carlin. This student was amazed that I knew who his uncle was! Following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, I came into my art room to find a manila envelope on my desk and inside was an autographed black and white glossy photo of George Carlin! Knowing that I was familiar with his “Uncle George’s” career, this same student shared with me that his book “Brain Droppings” was about to come out. I grabbed up a copy to read as soon as it came out. Later, this student let me know that his mom said she’d send my copy off to Uncle George to have it autographed for me. It was about this time that he also shared with me that his Aunt Brenda was very ill and later let me know she’d passed away. I have such vivid and fond memories of watching George Carlin on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and now had something even more personal. I’m sure he’d simply laugh at the thought of his framed photo hanging on my wall, though. Rest in peace, George; your legacy will carry on for those left behind.By N. Cochrane
June 23, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
I am so saddened to hear George Carlin has passed. He was such an inventive and unique comedian. I will miss his voice.By Pete
June 23, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Though I never saw him at Sutmiller’s, and don’t even remember him playing there, I was one of the bunches of the folks that bought his ‘7 words’ album. In fact, I had the entire ‘7 words’ monolouge memorized, and would deliver it along with the (gasp) 33 rpm album. I did see him at the Victoria (or was it the Victory then?) and while he was still funny, it wasn’t the same. He was the voice for a generation in many ways, I’m sure. RIP, george.