TL;DR
Scott Adams, the cartoonist behind the Dilbert comic strip, has died at 68 after a public battle with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. His ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced his death on a livestream and read a final letter in which Adams said he had dedicated his life to Jesus and addressed personal and estate matters.
What happened
Scott Adams, best known for creating the office-focused comic strip Dilbert, died at 68 after a fight with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. His former wife, Shelly Miles, confirmed the death during a livestream of the "Real Coffee with Scott Adams" show and read a message Adams had written on New Year's Day. Earlier broadcasts from Adams had described his prognosis as grim and his chance of recovery as "essentially zero." In his final note, Adams wrote that he had accepted Jesus Christ and asked readers to respect his estate choices; Miles said Adams was calm and predicted his death the day before, and that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Adams' work gained wide syndication after debuting in 1989 and earned industry recognition, but his later public comments on race led many newspapers to stop running Dilbert in 2023.
Why it matters
- Marks the end of a prominent cartoonist whose work influenced corporate satire and newspaper comics for decades.
- Highlights the tension between a creator's cultural contributions and controversy over public statements that affected distribution.
- May prompt renewed discussion about how media outlets and platforms respond to creators who generate public backlash.
- Brings attention to how digital platforms have become refuge for content previously removed from traditional syndication.
Key facts
- Age at death: 68.
- Cause: prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.
- Death announced by ex-wife Shelly Miles on the "Real Coffee with Scott Adams" livestream on Jan. 13, 2026.
- Adams wrote a New Year's Day letter read by Miles in which he said he had accepted Jesus Christ and addressed his estate decisions.
- Adams had told viewers earlier that his odds of recovery were "essentially zero."
- Dilbert first appeared in 1989 and drew on Adams' experience working at Pacific Bell (AT&T).
- Adams received the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award in 1997.
- By 2013, Dilbert was carried in about 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries and translated into 25 languages.
- In 2023, numerous newspapers, including the USA TODAY Network, stopped running Dilbert after Adams made racist remarks; Adams later relaunched the strip online as "Daily Dilbert Reborn" on Locals.
- Adams authored multiple books, including titles published between 2001 and 2023.
What to watch next
- How syndicates, newspapers and digital platforms handle the Dilbert archive and future publications — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Adams' estate or collaborators will issue additional statements or take actions regarding the strip and related properties — not confirmed in the source.
- Public and industry responses, retrospectives or tributes that may appear in the days following the announcement — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Comic strip: A sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels, often humorously illustrating a short narrative or gag.
- Syndication: The process by which content creators distribute their work to multiple newspapers, websites or outlets for publication.
- Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor site to other parts of the body, such as bone or organs.
- Reuben Award: An annual prize awarded by the National Cartoonists Society recognizing outstanding cartoonists and comic strip creators.
- Webcomic: A comic published primarily on the internet rather than in print, often distributed via websites or digital platforms.
Reader FAQ
What did Scott Adams die of?
He died after a battle with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.
Who confirmed his death?
His ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced the death during a livestream of the "Real Coffee with Scott Adams" show.
Why did many newspapers stop running Dilbert in 2023?
Numerous papers ended syndication after Adams made racist comments in 2023; Adams said his remarks were intended as hyperbole.
Did Adams leave a final public message?
Yes. Miles read a New Year's Day letter from Adams in which he addressed personal matters, said he had accepted Jesus Christ and asked readers to "pay it forward."
CELEBRITIES Dilbert Add Topic 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams dies at 68 after prostate cancer battle Edward Segarra USA TODAY Updated Jan. 13, 2026, 12:35 p.m. ET 0:02 / 0:14 Keep…
Sources
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- Scott Adams, 'Dilbert' creator and conservative …
- Scott Adams, Dilbert comic strip creator, dies at age 68 …
- 'Dilbert' cartoonist Scott Adams dies
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