== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website}}
*{{Cite web |title=Ohio, U.S., Birth Index, 1908-2003 |url=https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/39050627?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2239772f744374324e7335474269344677786d78336c31567a75716c326e767a306e36464b736336577934383d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Ancestry.com |language=en-US}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Visual arts}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Visual arts}}
American sculptor
|
Alan Cottrill |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | (1952-08-12) August 12, 1952
Zanesville, Ohio |
| Occupation | Figurative sculptor |
| Known for | Statue of Thomas Edison in the US Capitol Building, Statuary Hall, Washington, DC |
| Spouse(s) | Diane Holtzapple (m. 1972; div. 1976) Susan K. Long Cottrill (m. 1976–present) |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent(s) | Nelson Frank Cottrill (1933–1993) Mary Jane Henderson (1934–2012) |
| Website | www |
Alan Cottrill is an American sculptor and entrepreneur who created the statue of Thomas Edison, on display in the United States Capitol‘s National Statuary Hall,[1] and Don Colossus, a 15-foot bronze statue of Donald Trump.[2] He and his wife Susan co-founded the international pizza chain Four Star Pizza.[3]
Career and studio
Cottrill specializes in large-scale bronze figurative works. Over more than 30 years he has created over 500 life-size or larger monuments installed throughout the United States.
In 1990 Cottrill first worked with clay and soon sold his business interests to pursue sculpture full-time. He studied at the Art Students League and National Academy of Design in New York City and took anatomy courses using cadavers at Columbia Medical Center.
Early life and business career
Cottrill was born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio. After brief college attendance, U.S. Army service, and truck driving, he entered the fast-food industry. He met his second wife, Susan, while owning Domino’s franchises and together they founded Four Star Pizza, which grew into a successful multi-national chain. Business travel on U.S. government trade missions exposed him to major art museums worldwide, sparking his interest in art collecting and painting.[4]
Sculpture career
In 1990, Cottrill first worked with clay and soon sold his business interests to sculpt full-time. He studied at the Art Students League, National Academy of Design, and anatomy (via cadavers) at Columbia Medical Center in New York City.[4]
Cottrill has created over 500 life-size or larger monuments installed across the United States, including the Thomas Edison statue selected in 2014 for National Statuary Hall (replacing William Allen).[5]
In 2024, Cottrill completed Don Colossus, a 15-foot polished bronze of Donald Trump depicting his raised-fist reaction to the Butler assassination attempt. Commissioned by cryptocurrency supporters for ~$400,000, it was intended for display at Trump’s second inauguration and a subsequent tour.[6]
References
- ^ Rumer, Anna (December 25, 2014). “Ohio sculptor’s Edison statue selected for U.S. Capitol”. The Enquirer. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ Pavia, Will (January 3, 2025). “‘Don Colossus’: why a 15ft bronze Trump statue will tower over Ohio”. The Times. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ Metz, Gracie (September 2023). “The Sculpted Visions of Alan Cottrill”. Ohio Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Metz, Gracie (September 2023). “The Sculpted Visions of Alan Cottrill”. Ohio Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ Rumer, Anna (December 25, 2014). “Ohio sculptor’s Edison statue selected for U.S. Capitol”. The Enquirer. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ^ Pavia, Will (January 3, 2025). “‘Don Colossus’: why a 15ft bronze Trump statue will tower over Ohio”. The Times. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
