From Etertainment Tonight:
http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/06/62841/index.html
ET breaks the news that comedian George Carlin has died from heart failure. The man who made famous the "seven words you can never say on television" passed away at 5:55 p.m. Sunday at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, his longtime publicist said. He was 71.

Carlin, who has had several heart attacks and a history of cardiac issues, went into the hospital this afternoon after complaining of heart problems.

Carlin has more than 20 comedy albums, 14 HBO specials, numerous TV and movie roles, and three best-selling books to his credit. Last year, he celebrated his 50th year in show business, and he had just finished his last HBO special in March, "It's Bad for Ya."
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On a more personal note, I remember listening to him back in my teens and thinking this was one grumpy old man. I came back and listened to some of his stuff later and found myself beginning to agree with the guy. After that I began to see nuggets of genius in the guy's rants. Also, listening to his cadence when he's on a roll, you can't help but get sucked in.