Sam Kinison was a renowned stand-up comedian from Yakima, Washington, primarily active in the 1980s and early 1990s. Born in 1953, Kinison grew up in a family of Pentecostal preachers, and he initially followed in their footsteps, becoming a preacher himself.
Despite his success as a preacher, Kinison decided to pursue a career in comedy, moving to Houston, Texas, where he worked at the Comedy Workshop and trained as an improvisational comedic actor. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he became a regular performer at The Comedy Store, a famous comedy club.
Kinison's big break came when he was featured in the "9th Annual Young Comedians Special" in 1985, and he went on to appear in several films and television shows, including "Back to School" and "Married... with Children". He was known for his unique comedy style, which often incorporated sudden tirades and distinctive screams, reminiscent of charismatic preachers.
In 1990, Kinison married his long-time girlfriend, Malika Souiri, and the couple vacationed in Hawaii before returning to Los Angeles. Tragically, Kinison's life was cut short in a car accident on April 10, 1992, when his Pontiac Trans Am was struck head-on by a pick-up truck driven by an inebriated 17-year-old boy. Kinison was 38 years old at the time of his death.
Despite his relatively short career, Kinison has been fondly remembered and has been cited as an influence by other comedians.
