Scott Adams, Creator of 'Dilbert,' Dies at 68 After Cancer Diagnosis

Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the corporate-satire strip "Dilbert," died on Tuesday at his home in Pleasanton, Calif., at 68, his former wife Shelly Adams confirmed. He had been receiving hospice care after announcing in May that he had aggressive prostate cancer and likely only a few months to live.

Adams drew on his experience as a bank and phone company middle manager to create "Dilbert," which for more than 30 years chronicled the absurdities of high-tech workplaces and at its peak was syndicated to about 2,000 newspapers internationally. He published "Dilbert" collections, business books including "The Dilbert Principle," and the franchise produced an animated TV series, merchandise and a high-profile Office Depot ad campaign.

His career was marked by controversy. Over the years he made remarks about women and Jews that drew criticism, and in February 2023 he told listeners on his podcast "Real Coffee With Scott Adams" that "the best advice I would give white people is to get the hell away from Black people," comments that followed a Rasmussen Reports poll about the phrase "It's OK to be white," which the Anti-Defamation League says has been promoted by white supremacists.

Key Topics

Culture, Scott Adams, Dilbert, Pleasanton, Calif, Andrews Mcmeel Universal, Office Depot