The Rick Balin Story

Rick Balin (April 20th 1950 - August 23rd 2018)

Rick Balin was born and raised in Cheektowaga, New York. An outgoing explorer with a passion for music, film, and photography, Rick attended Woodstock in 1969, seeing legends like Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane. He briefly appeared as an extra alongside James Caan in the 1980 film "Hide in Plain Sight." A devoted movie buff, Rick traveled extensively to famous filming locations across the U.S.

His greatest passion was the 1974 film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Rick amassed the largest known collection of memorabilia from the film, including posters, figures, and over 100 autographs from Gunnar Hansen alone. His extensive efforts significantly contributed to building the Texas Chainsaw Massacre fan community, which wouldn't be where it is today without him. Rick became close friends with many cast members, notably Gunnar Hansen, whom he first met at the "Carnival of Horror" in 1999. His wife, Dottie, documented these interactions, capturing precious moments with fellow fans and celebrities, including rare footage with production designer Robert A. Burns. Rick was proud to have met the entire original cast.

Rick was beloved by family, friends, and the horror community. He shared his later years with his cherished cats, Norman and Chucky, and actively engaged on social media, sharing joyful photos and memories. Rick passed away peacefully at his home in Salamanca, New York, on August 23, 2018. He will always be remembered as Gunnar Hansen’s "true #1 fan."