Scott Adams, the American cartoonist best known as the creator of the iconic comic strip “Dilbert,” has died at the age of **68 after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer, his family announced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. His death was confirmed by his ex-wife Shelly Miles during a livestream, where she read a final message Adams prepared before his passing.
Adams rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s with Dilbert, a satirical comic that humorously critiqued corporate culture, management ineptitude and office life, becoming syndicated in thousands of newspapers worldwide and earning widespread acclaim. Dilbert was celebrated for capturing the frustrations of white-collar workers with its deadpan humour and memorable characters.
His success extended beyond the comic pages; Adams authored popular business books such as The Dilbert Principle and explored themes of persuasion, management, and the absurdities of modern work. Dilbert’s popularity spawned merchandise, a brief animated television adaptation, and a devoted global following.
In later years, Adams became a polarising figure after making controversial remarks that led many newspapers to drop Dilbert from syndication in 2023. He continued creating and publishing his work independently online and maintained a strong presence on digital platforms until his health declined.
Adams’s career blended humour, critique and cultural commentary, leaving a lasting impact on comics and popular culture that resonated with office workers and readers around the world.