Forrest J Ackerman, the sometime actor, literary agent, magazine editor and full-time bon vivant who discovered author Ray Bradbury and was widely credited with coining the term "sci-fi," has died. He was 92. He had inspired such legends as Spielberg, Lucas, and King. Beyond the break you can read SpookyDan's farewell.
SpookyDan writes in: "Today some very sad news came about that genre legend Forrest J Ackerman has passed away. His contributions were amazing and his energy and love for the genre never waivered; he will be sorely and greatly missed. He was 92.
Like many of you, I have plenty of his old magazines in the library, and have always loved them. As a very young kid I already had a love for horror films. I don’t know what year it was or how old I was, but I recall seeing a Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine staring at me on the newsstand. The cover was of the sand people from Star Wars, and it really bugged me so I ripped it off and went onto the monsters inside. I recall reading it over and over. (Why that picture bothered me I will never know.) The magazine was full of silly (dumb) puns and odd pictures, but it would kick start my career as a horror fan. Years of watching horror movies and reading other magazines would grow this passion from casual to obsessed. However, I recall, as if it was yesterday, being enchanted with that issue of Famous Monsters.
Years later director Tim Sullivan introduced me to Forry. I had seen Forry around at various conventions, but never really spoke to him. Tim arranged with Joe Moe (Forry’s caretaker) to set up a lunch with Forry and a tour of the Ackermansion (at this point it was the mini mansion). My friend Tom and I took Forry to the House of Pies to just chat and hear his stories. Forry is a very generous man, and I discovered that afternoon just how generous he was with telling his stories. He told us about meeting the horror legends like Bela Lugosi, and how he got a “used” handkerchief from Simone Simone. We spoke about the film Slither and other films, some he missed and others he loves. It was a magical and surreal afternoon. He told me a story that would change my perspective as a horror fan forever. He told us about a trip he and his wife took in the 70s to meet the fans of the magazine. He took his own money and traveled across the country stopping everywhere he could. His favorite part of the story was meeting a kid who told him there were 30 fans in his town and when Forry arrived, he found out that it was this one kid and a farm full of sheep, the kid counted the animals as fans of the magazine as well.
What struck me so much was how Forry was in love with the fans as much as he is with the genre. A feeling I have always shared with him. From that afternoon on, I realized that I was not alone in my admiration for the fans as well as the films. It’s not about just reporting facts, it’s about uplifting the genre and creating a community. The facts about the films are easy to find, but Forry’s career showed me that there is a place for people like me to sculpt a career around a passion for the genre.
To call Forry a fan of the genre is putting it lightly. This man lived and breathed his passion for decades. His passion encouraged thousands of people to pursue careers in film, and I consider myself amongst the lucky ones who was inspired by his love of film, and even luckier to have met him.
R.I.P Uncle Forry! I was just re-reading the Rue Morgue Forrest J. Ackerman issue yesterday amazed at how this man has not slowed down one bit. He will be missed for sure!
We all knew he was in poor health, but it still doesn't prepare you for this . It's truly a sad day for us all. He will be greatly missed by nearly everyone in the industry and the fan base. Rest in peace. :-(
I've been waiting for this day, with dread. I visited 4E at the Ackermansion, twice, and hold those visits deep to my heart. Bleed on, brother. Bleed on.
Nix
If it weren't for his mag, then fango wouldn't have hit as big, which means alot of horror fans may not have turned on to horror, who knows what we'd all be doing.
RIP
They should remake "Famous Monsters in Fimland" as a moving picture show. Forry could come back from the dead as a zombie [a slow moving one coz he is very old], who teams up with Ash to fight Godzilla and Predator at Camp Crystal Lake in Haddenfield on Valentine's Day. And in the end they all become super friends and go to McDonalds to have Whoppers with cheese [no mustard please] and slurpee's. Wow ... that would be better that "The Day the Earth Saw to Many Remakes" remake.
Oops; I'm newly registered, so still finding my way around the site...
I just posted this (a day late) in the Horror Gossip, News, and Rumors forum. I'd link you there, but I can't add URLs til I've posted 10 times.
Suffice to say I was a huge fan!
See ya on the other side Uncle Forry...
You may have left this earth but your legacy, your heart and soul will remain inside every fan of the genre. And this is why you are eternal!
Sleep tight and have a good Fright! (not as good as his phrases but i just had to say it for him)
R.I.P
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SpookyDan writes in: "Today some very sad news came about that genre legend Forrest J Ackerman has passed away. His contributions were amazing and his energy and love for the genre never waivered; he will be sorely and greatly missed. He was 92.
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