Sam Kinison Biography

Fast Facts

• Enrolled in the Pinecrest Bible Training Center in Salisbury Center, N․Y
• Was killed at the age of 38 when his car was hit by a drunk driver
• Started out performing in small clubs in Houston, Texas
• Attended East Peoria Community High School in East Peoria, Ill
• Initially followed in the footsteps of his traveling evangelist parents, serving as a Pentecostal preacher
• Quote: "Everything can be satirized ․․․ You have to give people some kind of information to re-evaluate their feelings about religious concepts ․․․ Stand-up comedy is an art form and it dies unless you expand it ․․․"
• Usually wore a beret and an overcoat on stage for his comedy routines
• His stand-up comedy was punctuated by screaming outbursts, and consisted of politically incorrect and outrageous jokes
• Comic George Carlin's comedy special "Jammin' in New York" was dedicated to his memory
• His discography includes "Louder Than Hell," "Have You Seen Me Lately," "Wild Thing," "Leader of the Banned" and "Live From Hell․"