Scott Adams, the brilliant mind behind the iconic comic strip Dilbert, passed away on January 13, 2026, at age 68 after battling metastatic prostate cancer. Moreover, his satirical take on corporate incompetence entertained millions worldwide for over three decades. Furthermore, despite controversies in his later years, Adams left an indelible mark through his cartoons, bestselling books, and bold commentary.
Scott Adams Biography / Wiki
Who is Scott Adams?
Scott Adams was an American cartoonist, author, and commentator best known as the creator of the Dilbert comic strip. Moreover, launched in 1989, Dilbert satirized office bureaucracy and became one of the most syndicated strips globally, appearing in over 2,000 newspapers. Furthermore, he authored numerous self-help books and hosted daily livestreams sharing his heterodox views. Consequently, Adams influenced workplace humor and business culture profoundly.
Scott Adams Age – How Old Was He?
Scott Adams was born on June 8, 1957, in Windham, New York. Therefore, he was 68 years old at the time of his death on January 13, 2026. His zodiac sign was Gemini.
Early Life and Background
Scott Adams grew up in the small town of Windham, New York, with a population of just 2,000. Moreover, his father Paul worked as a postal clerk, while his mother Virginia was a real estate agent and factory worker. Furthermore, from age 6, Scott dreamed of becoming a cartoonist like Charles Schulz, submitting work to the Famous Artists School at age 11—only to be rejected for being too young.
In addition, dyslexia posed early challenges, but he excelled academically, becoming valedictorian at Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School. Therefore, his rural upbringing instilled resilience and unconventional thinking.
Scott Adams Education
Scott Adams demonstrated academic excellence despite dyslexia. Moreover, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, in 1979. Subsequently, he pursued a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1986. These qualifications shaped his corporate satire in Dilbert.
Scott Adams Profession
Scott Adams worked across multiple fields before fame:
- Banker: Started at Crocker National Bank in 1979, later promoted to management.
- Engineer: Applications engineer at Pacific Bell from 1986.
- Cartoonist/Author: Created Dilbert and wrote 30+ books.
- Commentator: Hosted daily livestreams like Real Coffee with Scott Adams.
Therefore, his experiences informed his satirical worldview.
Scott Adams Career Journey
Corporate World to Cartooning (1979-1989)
Adams began banking at Crocker National Bank, facing robberies and bureaucracy that inspired Dilbert. Moreover, at Pacific Bell, he sketched cartoons during meetings, circulating them among colleagues. In 1989, United Feature Syndicate launched Dilbert.
Dilbert Phenomenon (1990s-2000s)
By the 1990s, Dilbert appeared in 2,000 newspapers across 65 countries and 19 languages. Furthermore, it spawned merchandise, calendars, and a UPN TV series (1997-2000) where Adams was executive producer. He also launched Scott Adams Food, Inc., a vegetarian food company.
Bestselling Author
Adams authored self-help books blending humor and persuasion. Key titles include How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big (2013).
Controversies and Later Years (2023-2026)
In 2023, racist podcast comments led to Dilbert‘s cancellation from newspapers. Moreover, he relaunched as Dilbert Reborn via subscription. In May 2025, he revealed Stage 4 prostate cancer. Despite appeals to President Trump for treatment, he passed on January 13, 2026.
Scott Adams Books
Scott Adams books blend business advice, humor, and persuasion:
- Dilbert Future (1997)
- The Joy of Work (1998)
- Dilbert and the Way of the Weasel (2001)
- How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big (2013)
- Win Bigly (2017)
- Loserthink (2019)
- Reframe Your Brain (2023)
Moreover, he wrote over 30 books total.
Scott Adams Family
| Relationship | Details |
| Father | Paul Adams (Postal Clerk) |
| Mother | Virginia Adams (Real Estate/Factory Worker) |
| Stepson | Justin (Died 2007 at age 18 from overdose) |
| First Wife | Shelly Miles (Married 2006-2014) |
| Second Wife | Kristina Basham (Married 2020-2022) |
| Children | None biological; raised stepson Justin |
