Lenny Bruce

Lenny Bruce (October 13, 1925 – August 3, 1966), was an American comedian. His real name was Leonard Alfred Schneider. He is considered an innovator of modern stand-up comedy and changed the way many people see comedians. His jokes and routines were very improper and off limits for the time and he got in a lot of trouble for them. He is considered a hero for the defense of the First Amendment rights in the United States, especially for free speech. 

In the 1960s he was the last person arrested for impersonating and swearing, overwatched by martial law and police and banned from many cities and comedy clubs. 

He appeared on the cover of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

He died in 1966 of an accidental morphine overdose whist on trial. 

In 1970 the New York's highest court of appeals decided that he is "not guilty for using bad words".

Category:1925 births
Category:1966 deaths
Category:American Jews
Category:American stand-up comedians
Category:Comedians from New York (state)
Category:Drug-related accidental deaths in the United States