There’s a George Carlin biopic in the works

A feature film biopic on comedy legend George Carlin is in the works, with Jerry Hamza, Carlin’s estate executor and former manager, on board as a producer.

The Jackal Group (currently producing an animated version of The Addams Family) has acquired the film rights, and have hired Stan Chervin (Moneyball) to write and produce. There’s no distribution yet for the project.

“We are honored to tell the story of one of the most important and influential comedians of all time, and to do so alongside those who knew him best,” said The Jackal Group’s Gail Berman and Joe Earley. “In addition to shaping comedy and culture for decades, and entertaining generations of audiences, Carlin’s battle to protect free speech continues to impact our daily lives and is as relevant as ever.”

And this, from Hamza: “I’m very excited to be involved with a film based on George’s life. It was wasn’t until after George died, I realized he was a hero. As a performer, George would never ‘sell out,’ and never comprise his beliefs – I learned so much from him. I think the public will be very happy to learn about George’s life. He was truly the top of the ladder in his field.”

Carlin tested and set the FCC standards with his Seven Words You Cannot Say on Television bit, just one small part of his legacy, which includes 23 stand-up comedy albums 14 HBO specials, and three best-selling books. He won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2008, the year he died at age 71.

His archives are available for viewing at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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