Scott Adams, the American cartoonist best known for creating the iconic comic strip Dilbert, has died at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His death was announced on January 13, 2026, by his former wife, Shelly Miles, who also shared a final message written by Adams shortly before his passing.
Born on June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York, Adams built a career that resonated deeply with office workers across the world. He launched Dilbert in 1989, drawing on his own experiences in corporate America. The strip, centred on an engineer navigating incompetent management and workplace absurdities, quickly struck a chord. Its sharp humour and relatable themes turned Dilbert into one of the most widely syndicated comic strips of its time, appearing in thousands of newspapers across more than 70 countries.
Beyond newspapers, Dilbert expanded into bestselling book collections, calendars, merchandise and an animated television series, cementing Adams’s reputation as a keen observer of modern office life. For many readers, the strip became a daily reflection of the frustrations and ironies of white-collar work.
In later years, Adams’s public image became increasingly polarising. In 2023, he made controversial remarks during an online livestream that were widely criticised as racist. The comments led many newspapers and publishers to drop Dilbert, significantly reducing its presence in mainstream media. Adams defended his statements, but the episode marked a turning point in how his career and legacy were viewed.
In 2025, Adams revealed that he was suffering from aggressive prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. He spoke openly about his diagnosis and prognosis, continuing to communicate with followers through online platforms despite declining health.
In a final message shared after his death, Adams reflected on his life and encouraged others to focus on being useful, learning continuously and helping those around them. He expressed gratitude to his readers and supporters who had followed his work for decades.
Scott Adams is remembered for reshaping workplace humour and capturing the everyday realities of corporate life with wit and clarity. While debates over his personal views continue, Dilbert remains a defining work in the history of modern comic strips.
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