TL;DR
Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comic strip and a divisive public commentator, died on January 13, 2026, at age 68 from metastatic prostate cancer. His career spanned decades of syndicated cartoons, books and online commentary, and ended after years of controversy and recent health problems that curtailed his ability to draw.
What happened
Scott Raymond Adams, the cartoonist best known for creating Dilbert, died on January 13, 2026, in Pleasanton, California. Adams launched Dilbert in 1989 while working in corporate roles and became a full-time cartoonist by the mid-1990s as the strip achieved wide syndication and international reach. He expanded into books, a short-lived television adaptation in 1999, and a later career as a political and cultural commentator through blogs and his Real Coffee with Scott Adams video series. In 2023 Adams lost newspaper syndication and publisher support after making racially charged remarks on his livestream; he subsequently relaunched Dilbert as a subscription webcomic. In late 2025 he reported focal dystonia in his drawing hand and partial paralysis in the other, stepping away from the strip’s artwork while remaining the writer. The Wikipedia entry reports he died of metastatic prostate cancer at 68.
Why it matters
- Dilbert became a prominent global satire of corporate life, carried in thousands of papers and translated into many languages, making Adams a notable figure in business culture.
- Adams’ pivot from mainstream syndication to independent web publishing illustrates shifting business models for comics and creator-owned content.
- The 2023 comments and ensuing fallout highlighted tensions between creators’ speech, platform responses and commercial consequences within media industries.
- His public health disclosures in 2025 — focal dystonia and partial paralysis of his hands — underscore how medical conditions can abruptly change creative careers.
Key facts
- Born June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York; died January 13, 2026, in Pleasanton, California, aged 68.
- Created the Dilbert comic strip in 1989; became a full-time cartoonist by 1995.
- By 2000, Dilbert was syndicated in about 2,000 newspapers across 57 countries and 19 languages.
- Won the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist in 1997.
- Dilbert was adapted into a television series in 1999; Adams served as executive producer and showrunner.
- Authored books including The Dilbert Principle and the pandeistic novella God’s Debris.
- In February 2023, Adams made remarks on his livestream that led to many newspapers dropping Dilbert and Andrews McMeel Syndication severing ties.
- After being dropped, he relaunched Dilbert as a subscription webcomic on Locals in March 2023.
- Reported in November 2025 that focal dystonia affected his right hand and his left hand was semi-paralyzed; his art director took over artwork while he remained the writer.
- Wikipedia lists his YouTube channel 'Real Coffee with Scott Adams' with about 202,000 subscribers and 77.9 million views (last updated December 28, 2025).
What to watch next
- Whether the Dilbert property will continue under the existing Locals subscription model or change hands: not confirmed in the source.
- Any official statements from Andrews McMeel Syndication, publishers or Adams’ estate about the strip’s future distribution: not confirmed in the source.
- Plans for posthumous collections, archives or retrospectives of Adams’ work: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Syndication: The distribution of content, such as comic strips, to multiple newspapers or outlets for publication.
- Webcomic: A comic published primarily on the internet, often directly by the creator or via subscription platforms.
- Focal dystonia: A neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions and can impair fine motor control, sometimes affecting artists' hands.
- Metastatic cancer: Cancer that has spread from its original site to other parts of the body.
- Reuben Award: An annual honor awarded by the National Cartoonists Society for outstanding achievement in cartooning.
Reader FAQ
When did Scott Adams die?
He died on January 13, 2026.
What was the cause of death?
The Wikipedia entry reports metastatic prostate cancer as the cause of death.
Why was Dilbert dropped by newspapers?
In February 2023, Adams made racially charged remarks on his livestream; several newspapers and his syndicate severed ties afterward.
Was Adams still drawing Dilbert at the time of his death?
In November 2025 he said focal dystonia and partial paralysis prevented him from drawing; his art director had assumed the strip’s artwork while he continued as writer.
Toggle the table of contents Scott Adams 28 languages Article Talk Read Edit View history Tools From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is currently being heavily edited following the…
Sources
- Scott Adams Dead at 68
- Scott Adams, 'Dilbert' Creator Who Courted Controversy,' …
- 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams dies at 68
- 'Dilbert' Creator Scott Adams Has Died | The Bobby Bones Show
Related posts
- YouTube page titled ‘Scott Adams has passed away’ raises verification concerns
- Board tabletop game console review: 24-inch hybrid with physical pieces
- UK Tribunal Denies Interim Pay Request From Fired Rockstar Employees