“Jobs” Star Josh Gad To Play Iconic Comedian Sam Kinison

A project that many thought would never see the light of day, the biopic of late comedian Sam Kinison has finally decided on its star.

Based on the book Brother Sam by Sam's brother Bill, the film will center around Kinison's transition from the family business of Pentecostal preaching to one of the most iconic and controversial comedians of the last 30 years.  Kinison went from a club comedian catching the attention of Rodney Dangerfield, to becoming the comedy world equivalent of a rock star, joining the ranks of other comedians like Bill Hicks as one of the "Outlaws of Comedy".  Kinison played to sold out stadiums, appearing in films and television shows, and was a regular guest on the Howard Stern show until his unfortunate death at the age of 38, killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver.

Josh Gad's casting is definitely a surprising one.  While Gad has been making a name for himself with roles in "21", "Love & Other Drugs", and the upcoming Steve Jobs biopic "Jobs" as computer pioneer Steve Wozniak, Gad has experience in major films and this will be a great shot in the arm to his career, but another actor had been the odds-on favorite for the role.  Tony Award winning actor Dan Fogler, star of "Fanboys" and "Balls of Fury", had been attached to the project for quite some time, even recording a screen test reinacting one of Kinison's classic routines.  While I'm hopeful Gad will be able to live up to Kinison's unstoppable freight train delivery and lifestyle, I can't help but feel they missed out on the perfect choice with Fogler.

(WARNING: Video has some naughty language!)

via Deadline