Scott Adams, the creator of the long-running comic strip Dilbert, dead at the age of 68 following a highly public battle with prostate cancer.
The news was confirmed by his former wife, Shelly Miles, who announced his death in a video shared on social media. In the clip, she read a final message Adams had written before his passing, reflecting on his life and legacy.
“I had an amazing life,” Adams wrote. “I gave it everything I had. That’s the legacy I want — be useful.”
Adams revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the same illness publicly disclosed by former President Joe Biden. He said the disease had already spread to his bones, significantly limiting treatment options.
In the months that followed, Adams openly documented his condition and the obstacles he faced in accessing care. A vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, Adams turned to the president in November, asking for help obtaining a newly approved drug he believed could extend his life.
President Trump posted on Truth Social his condolences for Scott Adam’s family, saying: “Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away. He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn’t fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott!”
“I am declining fast,” Adams wrote in a social media post at the time. “I will ask President Trump if he can get Kaiser of Northern California to respond and schedule it for Monday. That will give me a fighting chance to stay on this planet a little longer.”
His plea quickly drew attention. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replied publicly, writing that the president wanted to help and asking how to reach Adams. Shortly afterward, Adams said he had been scheduled for an appointment the following day.
Adams rose to fame in the late 1980s after launching Dilbert, a satirical comic strip that skewered corporate culture and office politics. The strip became a global success, appearing in thousands of newspapers and spawning books, merchandise, and a television series. Its sharp humor made Adams one of the most recognizable cartoonists in the world.
In later years, Adams became a polarizing public figure due to his outspoken political views, particularly his support for Trump. Still, his impact on American pop culture remained undeniable, with Dilbert influencing workplace humor for more than three decades.
As news of his death spread, fans and critics alike reflected on his complicated legacy — one defined by both creative brilliance and controversy. But in his final words, Adams focused not on fame or politics, but on meaning.
“I had an amazing life,” he wrote. “Be useful.”
