Outlaws & Criminals · Mid 20th Century
Gary Gilmore’s Last Words
“Let's do it.”— Gary Gilmore, January 17, 1977
Who Was Gary Gilmore?
Gary Gilmore was the first person executed in the United States after the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.
The Final Moments
Gilmore was executed by firing squad at Utah State Prison. He refused all appeals.
Are These Words Verified?
Multiple witnesses at the execution documented Gilmore's final words 'Let's do it' in response to the warden asking if he had any last words. This is one of the most reliably documented last statements in modern American execution history.
Sources
- firsthand Prison officials' testimony
- biography Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song
- newspaper Contemporary news accounts
Legacy
Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song immortalized Gilmore; his phrase reportedly inspired Nike's 'Just Do It.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Gary Gilmore’s last words?
“Let's do it.”
How did Gary Gilmore die?
Gary Gilmore died on January 17, 1977 at the age of 36. Cause of death: Execution by firing squad.
Were Gary Gilmore’s last words documented?
Multiple witnesses at the execution documented Gilmore's final words 'Let's do it' in response to the warden asking if he had any last words. This is one of the most reliably documented last statements in modern American execution history.
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