In brief
Scott Adams, known for his comic strip 'Dilbert', passed away due to cancer at 68. His ex-wife announced his death during a podcast, sharing his legacy of addressing workplace absurdities through satire. While Adams gained widespread fame, his later years were clouded by controversy over racially charged comments. Despite this, he continued to contribute through self-help books and personal reflections until his health declined.
Scott Adams, the US cartoonist who created the iconic comic strip Dilbert, has died at the age of 68 after a battle with cancer. The news was announced by his ex-wife, Shelly Miles, during a live stream of his podcast, Real Coffee with Scott Adams.
The comic, which includes themes of workplace dysfunction, first launched in 1989 and soon became a hit, appearing in over 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries.
Adams also ventured into books, animated series, and video games featuring his highly recognizable character. However, his later years were marred by controversy after some newspapers canceled the comic due to Adams’ public remarks deemed offensive.
In 2023, Adams faced backlash after calling Black Americans a 'hate group' and suggesting white people avoid them following poll results about racial attitudes. While he defended his comments as hyperbole, the fallout affected the distribution of his work.
Tributes poured in following his death, including a tribute from former President Trump, who referred to Adams as a 'Great Influencer' and praised his resilience during his illness.
In a heartfelt moment during his podcast, Shelly shared a poignant message from Adams: 'I had an amazing life, I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward as best as you can. That's the legacy I want.'
Scott Adams had been receiving care at home for prostate cancer, which he revealed in May 2025, noting that it had advanced to his bones.
