Bill Hicks Statue Project

BILL HICKS is revered throughout the world as many things - legend, truthsayer, shaman, philosopher, and many more. Bill was a rare breed of human; A guy that comes along once in a lifetime to challenge us to be better. He made you think, he kept you on the edge of your seat, and he was completely fearless. He's one of the few comedians that is still relevant almost 20 years after being taken from the world too soon, and his legacy grows every day. Yet, there does not stand a single monument in the world to him. Bill began his comedy career in Houston at the now defunct Comedy Workshop on San Felipe and Shepherd. A statue to permanently pay homage to him in the city where he began his journey would solidify his legacy. This statue would serve as a symbol to remember the past and everything Bill gave us, but also as a reminder for the future generations to seek knowledge around every corner.

Houston sculptor DAVID ADICKES has agreed to build the statue of Bill. If you've ever seen his work, you know he is the best man for the job and that the statue will be nothing short of amazing. A Houston legend sculpting a Houston legend - It doesn't get better than that. The family and estate of Bill Hicks has given their blessing to this project and will be on hand at the statue's unveiling.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. You can directly support the building and placement of the statue to honor a hometown hero by clicking the PayPal link below and donating money to the cause.

The costs for creating, placing, and maintaining such a monument are staggering. Costs also include a nationwide PR campaign and location fees. We estimate this total to be about $70,000 yet any funds which exceed cost will be donated to Bill Hicks Foundation for Wildlife.

Free Press Houston is going to start this project off with an initial donation of $10,000. BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP.

For the most generous donors ($5,000 or more), we have something special for you-- YOUR NAME WILL BE PERMANENTLY INSCRIBED on the statue thanking you for making it a reality.

For donations of $1000 or more, YOU WILL BE HONORED AT A PRIVATE THANK YOU DINNER AND PARTY the evening preceding unveiling. This party will have very special guest performers.

People who donate $200 or more will receive hand signed and numbered,LIMITED-EDITION SILK SCREENED ART PRINTS OF THE 'REMEMBER ME?' POSTER BY WORLD RENOWNED POSTER ARTIST JERMAINE ROGERS.

But really, anything helps, and if you aren't able to donate money, a simple share on your social networks spreads the word about this project to more people and helps immensely. Please pass this along to everyone you know and encourage them to support in any way they can.

We have our own ideas about where this statue should be placed - a public historical place where fans can pay homage, but also where people who Bill is unknown to can discover him for the first time. Because you're the ones who are going to make this dream a reality in the end, we'd like to have your opinions on where this statue should go as well. Please email us your thoughts on where you'd like to see this statue at, and any other suggestions here.

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Russell Crowe to direct Bill Hicks biopic

Russell Crowe has confirmed that he will direct a biopic of Bill Hicks, according to Sydney's Telegraph. Crowe was originally thought to be playing the comedian, but Mark Staufer, the actor's schoolmate and writer on the film, has suggested the part is now open for casting.

"It is a huge role for someone, made all the more special, or downright scary, by the fact the director is an Oscar-winning actor like Russell," Staufer said. Casting will have to be finalised before production starts early next year.

Crowe is currently playing Noah in Darren Aronofsky's big-budget telling of the story of the ark, which is filming in Iceland. He's also set to appear as Dracula in Eli Roth's Bram Stoker adaptation, throw kung fu shapes in the RZA's The Man with the Iron Fists and go for a song in Tom Hooper's forthcoming version of Les Misérables.

The most recent movie representation of Hicks was Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas's documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story, whichreceived good reviews on its release in 2010. Hicks, who died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 32, was known worldwide for his caustic wit and influential brand of aggressive standup. Crowe's respect for Hicks's work may stem from the fact that the hard-to-please comedian was unusually complimentary about the New Zealand-born actor's adopted home country, Australia. In a routine he performed in the early 90s, Hicks mocked Britain's 18th-century practice of sending convicts there. "Let me get this straight," says Hicks in the guise of a soon-to-be transported criminal, "you keep the shitty weather and the shitty food. And we get the Great Barrier Reef and lobsters the size of canoes."

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