Dilbert creator Scott Adams dies at 68 following battle with cancer

Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams has died at 68 after a prolonged battle with cancer, his family confirmed

Scott Adams, the American cartoonist best known for creating the long-running comic strip Dilbert, has died at the age of 68 following a battle with cancer.

His death was announced Tuesday by his ex-wife, Shelly Miles, during a livestream of his podcast Real Coffee with Scott Adams.

Adams revealed in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which later spread to his bones. In recent months, he had been receiving end-of-life care at his home and publicly acknowledged that recovery was unlikely. He also spoke openly about additional health complications, including heart failure and loss of mobility.

First published in 1989, Dilbert became one of the most widely syndicated comic strips in the world, appearing in more than 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries at its peak. The satirical strip, which focused on office culture and workplace dysfunction, expanded into bestselling books, an animated television series, and other media. Adams won the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award in 1997, along with multiple honors for newspaper comic strips.

However, Adams’ later career was marked by controversy. In 2023, many major newspapers dropped Dilbert after Adams made remarks widely criticized as racist during an online broadcast. Adams defended his comments at the time, stating they were taken out of context and intended as hyperbole, though the backlash led to the effective end of the comic’s mainstream publication.

Following news of his death, former U.S. President Donald Trump paid tribute on social media, praising Adams for his influence and public support during politically contentious periods.

In a posthumous message read aloud during the podcast, Adams reflected on his life and legacy, encouraging listeners to “be useful” and to pay forward any benefits gained from his work.

Scott Adams leaves behind a complex legacy shaped by both his cultural impact and public controversies.