Carlin, who had a history of heart and drug-dependency problems, died at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.
Carlin is also known to modern audiences as appearing in Kevin Smith's movies DOGMA and JERSEY GIRL. He also provided one of the voices for Pixar's CARS.
He is survived by his wife Sally Wade, and daughter Kelly.