Carlin hailed as 'influential force,' 'genius'

U.S. comics and filmmakers were among those paying tribute to George Carlin on Monday, following the death of the boundary-smashing comedian Sunday night from heart failure.

"Nobody was funnier than George Carlin," Hollywood hit-maker Judd Apatow said in a statement.

"I spent half my childhood in my room listening to his records, experiencing pure joy. And he was as kind as he was funny," said the filmmaker behind recent comedies Knocked Up, Superbad, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and the upcoming Pineapple Express.

The 71-year-old Carlin was "a hugely influential force in standup comedy," said actor and director Ben Stiller.

"His humour was brave, and [he was] always challenging us to look at ourselves and question our belief systems, while being incredibly entertaining. He was one of the greats."

Jack Burns, who performed with Carlin during the 1960s, recalled his colleague as a "genius."

"I will miss him dearly," Burns said.

Twain honour to proceed

Less than a week ago, the Kennedy Center had announced Carlin as the 2008 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour, to which the comic had reportedly quipped: "Thank you Mr. Twain.… Have your people call my people."

In a rare decision, organizers announced Monday that the plan to celebrate Carlin will go ahead as an evening of special posthumous tributes on Nov. 20.

"George kept us honest. Of this sad day he might have said that the only truly 'dirty word' is death. George Carlin is as deserving as ever of our nation's highest award for humour," the producers of the annual comedy honour said in a statement.

Traditionally, each year's Twain Award recipient is required to attend the ceremony and deliver a speech at the end of the evening — basically seen as an opportunity for a skit as well as a way to say thanks.