Morningside Heights Block Named 'George Carlin Way' In Honor Of Late Comedian
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- George Carlin is finally getting his own way.
The late comedian grew up on West 121st Street between Broadway and Amsterdam in Morningside Heights.
Carlin often referenced the neighborhood in his many books, television specials and albums.
"That neighborhood meant so much to him that he continued to be friends with all the people he grew up with, and hung on corners with and got into trouble with," Carlin's daughter, Kelly, told 1010 WINS. "[He] spoke a lot and often and very fondly about that neighborhood."
During a special ceremony Wednesday afternoon, a sign went up on the block naming it "George Carlin Way." Mayor Bill de Blasio signed off on the plan to honor Carlin this summer following a two-year petition drive.
In attendance was a who's-who of the comedy world, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, including Colin Quinn, Robert Klein, Judah Friedlander and Gilbert Gotffried.
"The quote that's most important that George Carlin said is that it's the duty of a comedian to find out where the line is drawn and deliberately step over it," Gottfried said.
The celebration will continue Wednesday evening with a comedy show at Caroline's on Broadway.
Corpus Christi Church, the church he attended and often targeted with his biting humor, opposed naming the block that it shares with Carlin's boyhood home, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
Carlin died in 2008. He was 71.
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