William Melvin "Bill" Hicks (December 16, 1961 - February 26, 1994) was an American stand-up comedian.

Finding moderate mainstream success in the late 1980s and early '90s, Hicks tended to balance heady discussion of religion, politics and personal issues with more ribald material; he characterized his own performances as "Chomsky with dick jokes" .

William Melvin Hicks, better known as Bill Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994), was a controversial American stand-up comedian, satirist, and social critic. Hicks is often compared to Lenny Bruce (although he frequently denied knowing much about Bruce’s life or work) and Sam Kinison (a contemporary and friend). Comedian Richard Pryor figured largely as an inspiration and stand-up idol for Hicks, as did Woody Allen who also served strongly as a very early influence for a pre-teen Hi