Forrest J. Ackerman RIP

[Toy Ranch]

I awoke this morning to find this notification in my email:

Forrest J Ackerman confirmed you as a friend on Facebook.

I appreciate the sublime irony in this technological miracle, but not as much as Forry would have.

I know he would have loved this.

Martin

Forry and Joe Moe's Facebook pages have been very busy.  Joe posts on Facebook a lot.  You should  "friend" Joe Moe too, if you haven't already.

[Gasport]

I first met Forry at an I-con convention here in NY probably around 15 years ago. I was on my way to see Ray Harryhausen [another guest at the show] when i ran into Forry outside the lecture room. [this was held at Stony Brook University] I knew he was there to receive another of his many awards and brought along a few choice issues of Famous Monsters in case i ran into him. [Issues #1, 13 and my favorite 1963 yearbook] I stopped him to ask if he'd sign them for me and he graciously said: "Why yes, i'd be delighted!" and pulled out a red Flair pen from his shirt pocket. He no sooner signed them when they opened the doors for the Harryhausen talk.  I [ and Forry] made my way to the front row of the classroom just as Ray was unloading a box of some of his most famous stop motion creations.  He sat one of the original skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts on the desk attached to the seat i was in. He must have noticed the dumbstruck look on my face as he did so and told me..."It's alright, you can touch it if you like" ...What a magical day. First to finally meet Forry and then have this interaction with the great Ray Harryhausen. I wish i had more time to talk to Forry, but  i don't regret a thing...sometimes you just have to go with the flow and i left there with one of my all time great convention memories.

[salty64]

Heard the sad news this morning, and just wanted to say thanks Forry for giving me my love of all things Horror, I treasure my collection of F.M.O.F. mags, they are like an old friend to me.
Though I never met Him, I have felt I have know him all my life, and that is the legacy he leaves behind, a friend and inspiration to all of us who love the genre. 



R.I.P Forry.

[Crazy1van]

Here is a link I got from another group to a song about 4E:
http://krsk.radiotown.com/podcasts/BEST-GUIDE-10-30-08-THE%20LEGEND%20OF%20FOREST%20J%20ACKERMAN.mp3

[Universal Soldier]

The past 5 years had not been kind to Uncle Forry. When I would run into him
at various conventions, signings and functions, he always seemed terribly
frail and "not all there". He'd had a few near death experiences in that
time and was always recovering from some illness or another. To his credit
though, he was out and about, when many his age would've just stayed home.

It was because of his ill health that I never dropped by the
Acker-mini-mansion, though many friends I know did, right up until his final
days. I guess I always wanted the robust Uncle Forry who would break into 20
minutes worth of Jolson tunes and tell a risqué joke or two. Alas, that
Forry was long gone by the time I moved to California. Like Famous Monsters
and his Ackermansion, just a fond memory.

The world is just a little more sad without our monster uncle.

[JohnBolesGal]

I am very sorry to hear about Uncle 4E. A few years back I was sitting next to him in the Lugosiphilia room at Monster bash. He was wearing a really nice blue velvet smoking jacket and some really nice black and white saddle shoes (I don't know the proper name for the men's type). Anyway, I leaned over and said to Uncle 4E "You know Uncle 4E, you keep wearing jackets and shoes like that you are gonna have to fend off the women with baseball bats and shotguns!" He looked slowly at me and just laughed and laughed. He was wonderful! I hope that now he is reunited with old friends and his dear Wendy. Love yah Uncle 4E. 

[Daimajin]

Very sad...

I've just started reading the Stephen King story "N." and it features a place of horror called Ackerman's Field.  Nice that.

When I sent a letter last year to Forry I wrote it with all the fannish enthusiasm he probably heard a thousand thousand times over -- but I'm glad that I sent it.  It's important to tell people how much they've meant to you while you still can and I feel some measure of satisfaction that I could tell him how much his work meant to me. 

I never got to meet him in person, but it still feels as though I knew him.

[ProfGriffin]

The Man of Magic, mystery and wonder has joined with Science Fiction.

The eternal child, who marveled at 'One Glorious Day' and who filled a generation with a love for the fantastic, has FINALLY met Prince Sirki.  And while we are all the worse for it he is exactly where he needs to be.  He is in the realm of the beyond...a beyond our dear Uncle Forry never believed in. To him, it was Fantasy and Science Fiction. Now...he is a part of Science Fiction.    Forever.

I can only imagine that meeting with the Prince.

Sirki:  My dear sir, your carriage is waiting.

FJA: It's about time, let me guess, am I traveling COACH?

Sirki: There is a place of honor for you sir, a hallowed corner of the Elysian field.

FJA:  I just had an appointment with a hallowed CORONER and now I get a CORNER? Like little Jack 'THE RIPPER' Horner, I guess I'll be good and pull out a plumb. 

Sirki:  How are you feeling...?

FJA:  I'm PLUMB tired.

(I never had a gift for puns like the great Dr. Acula, but I think you all get the idea.)

I knew this was coming.  We all did.  His health problems and his age made it inevitable, but his energy and contributions up until his passing is legendary.  For my own part, he is the Man that made me love the monsters...his presence in the world gave me a belief in magic, and made me the person I am today.  No doubt.

He was the Sultan of Sci-Fi and the collector of wonder.  He was the eternal symbol of all that is good and right with world of fantasy entertainment.  Through his magic pen and typewriter, Lugosi lived eternal, King Karloff reigned supreme and Lon Chaney shall never die....

But Forrest J. Ackerman did, and that's ok. 

Death has a way of reminding us of the glories of life.  When humans shuffle off this mortal coil, we continue to celebrate their lives by remembering the good about them.  We honor their memory the best we can. 
My God, what a world we are in!  When the oldest kid in the world can die, what hope do we have?  I wrote this with a smile...as Forry left us with a LOT of hope.

And memories...
We'll always have the memory of his life and the inspiration of his strength, we'll always have his words and his image captured on film and video, and some of us, no, MANY of us, have a glorious memory of meeting the man behind the Monsters, the man who was an eternal child, the man who was so many things to so many people.  He was easy to find, and welcomed all openly and with the grace befitting his hierarchy in the realm of the fantastic.

He also taught us all well...we children of Famous Monsters.  Don't smoke, don't drink, don't dope... READ and educate yourselves, and most of all, let wonder and fantasy fill your heart!  MONSTERS are good for you!

He proved that time and time again.

There is so much to say but my heart is light.  When I first thought about what to write and what to say about Forry's passing it was a bit sad.   "How can he die?   Couldn't he have stayed for just a little bit longer?"   But no that's selfish and greedy.  His time was done, he did so much and he deserves rest.   And most of all, deserves to be a part of science fiction.

I remember when...
Forry recorded the voice over opening for my show, Prof. Griffin's Midnight Shadow Show as Prof. Lampini.  He left me a voice message in character, demanding 1000 rupes for the task of recording my opening. Oh how I listened with glee to that recording over and over...(LOL) I still have that answering machine tape to this day...and always will.
I marveled at his enthusiasm and his joy at doing it.  We spoke a few times on the phone to arrange it and his infectious glee was joyous. 
My good friend (and fellow Horror Host) The Nightshadow recorded Forry's into, and sent it to me....and I was feeling at the very height of my Horror Host career!
Uncle Forry is eternally part of my little TV show!!  Incredible!

I remember when...
Some years before his recording of the opening (as Joseph Fotinos), I helped arrange for him to be a host at a Drive-In film festival held here at the Dobie Theatre in Austin Texas waaaaay back in 1994.   (We went out to lunch together).

And then, of course there was the 1993 Famous Monster Convention in Arlington.

How I remember standing so close to the man, talking to him as Joseph Fotinos and then later in costume as Frankenstein's Monster, I caught the heavenly sound of his voice as musical notes while he sang at the Saturday late night piano sing a long. 
He put his arm on my massive (as the Monster) shoulder and sang sincerely and wonderfully with me.  I did my best Karloff at the blind hermit's hut and caught his notes in my smile.

I need a moment to compose my thoughts, and there are more here that want to speak, if you'll excuse me:



RRRRR!  Forry Good!  Friend!! I love Forry.....
-   The Frankenstein Monster

AAAAAAAOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
-   The Wolf Man

The sands of time will never erase the memory of the man, and the gods themselves weep.
-   Imhotep

I think the best way to remember Forrest J. Ackerman is to keep fantasy and wonder in our hearts.  As we go through our oh so busy lives as adults, pause today or tonight to look up and the trees, the clouds, the moon, and dream of places far, far, away.  Take time always to dream of wonderous lands and places that only exist in dreams and nightmares...be it OZ, Vasaria, a Mars Colony, the planet Darklon, or Heaven or Hell.

Believe in the existence of vampires, listen for the werewolves to howl at the moon and have faith that love will endure throughout the centuries.   And keep Forry Ackerman eternal with that belief and that memory.

Kong is roaring in triumph over the body of a Tyrannosarus Rex and the mad Rotwang is near collapse with his success in creating The Ultima Futura Automoton.
Oh, words, so many words, and Forry was the master of them all.  Books, so many books that Forry absorbed and studied and wrote and edited and enjoyed.

Lionel Atwill, Dwight Frye, Ernest Thesinger, Glenn Strange, Ed Wood, John Carradine, Conrad Veight, and Al Adamson are waiting for him outside his new home in Sci-Fi land, waving banners, throwing confetti and cheering as the black coach comes to a stop, and lowers it's top, revealing to the throng, to the cheering beyond, just who is finally returning to the celestial fields of the impossible and unbelievable.

A bevy of scantily clad beauties surrounds him as he descends and bestows gifts of chocolate and kisses.  And Forry beams. 
(Forry was always a bit of a Cassanova...this is not speaking ill of the dead, but a fact. He LOVED the ladies.  Perhaps this is why he got along with Hugh Hefner so well...I'm sure Forry spent quite a few Halloweens at the Playboy Mansion!)

Now the imaginary fantasy parade of love and life passes through into the courtyard where more people have gathered...friends all, most of them he has already met. 
Dark Prince Lugosi, The Chaneys (Sr. and son) Lorre, Vincent, Saint Peter standing with Helen at his side, (who might be saying "I told you so" with his smile) and King Karloff...all are warmly greeting and embracing the man who made them FAMOUS MONSTERS, the man who shared so much with the world and the man who shared himself so much with us.

Finally, the sea of famous faces parts and reveals the person he most wished to see again.  The one person that (despite his beliefs and statements to the contrary) he said was watching him through a celestial telescope... as beautiful as she was in his mind and memory, she approaches him with a grin. 

Wendyane Ackerman embraces him and hearts swell.  It's been quite a journey.

Thank you Forrest J. Ackerman...rest now in the realm of Science Fiction.   
You've created an entire world of fantasy, and gods and monsters.  I sincerely hope with all my heart that you did die with the words "Science Fiction" on your lips, because you're a part of that now.  Forever.

God bless you and keep you.

-Joseph Fotinos

[hauntedhal]

I waited until now to post something because the news deeply depressed me. I feel as if I grew up with Forry always being in the background as part of my life. I started with issue # 7 and was fascinated with everything "monsters". The issue (#25 or 27?) showing photos of his collection had a great influence on me to this day. Are any of us collectors because we wanted to be like him and be surrounded by incredible books with gorgeous dust jackets, pulps holding hidden treasures and any number of monster related goodies? I feel as if another part of my childhood has been ripped from me. I'm sorry his physical being is no longer with us.

[Nightmares in plastic]

After a few days out of town and no internet access I learned as well of FJA's passing and I feel the void too....

I first met him in 1996 at an "convention" at the famous UFA Studios in  Babelsberg where his beloved classic METROPOLIS was filmed decades earlier.
He always seemed to be very fond of my homeland, also brought german Sci-Fi Pulphero Perry Rhodan to America.
In 2000 he borrowed some pieces from his collection to the reopend Berlin Film Museum. He truly was a generous Gentleman who shared his wealth
of knowledge and enthusiasmn for the "Fantastic" with the whole world.

Mr. Ackerman, Thanks for everything!

Rainer E.

[CinemBill]

I hope Forry won't mind my paraphrasing a story he used to tell. Well, here goes...

After passing, Forry, much to his surprise finds himself before the Great Pearly Gates. And standing there is St. Peter. "Hello, Forry."

"Well, I certainly didn't expect this!", exclaimed FSJ. "But they're closed so I guess I didn't make it."

St. Peter explained, "The Gates will swing open ONLY after you complete a simple test. Forrest J. Ackerman, you must come up with one last pun."

"That's it?", Forry asked.

"That's it", assured St. Peter.

Forry's mind raced to think of a pun. All those puns of the past and now his brain couldn't come up with one last pun?

Confused, his mind in a fog, Forry's long forefinger scratched at his temple as he thought to himself and murmured under his breath, "Think, Forry, think...Pun, Oh Pun, Oh Pun..."

At which time the Great Gates Swung Open Wide...


God Bless you, Uncle Forry... RIP


Bill Schafer

[Drew Bludd]

I've recently been charged with the task of writing 4E's obituary in Scars magazine.

Geez.

I don't know what I feel more - wishing I didnt have to or feeling like I absolutely have to.

I hope you out there understand what I mean.

http://www.scarsmagazine.com/

[Unknown Primate]

ProfGriffin, that was an awe-inspiring post.  Thanks for a great read.  I'm going outside (in the cold) to listen to those werewolves now.

[Ramboona]

His last gift to us, it seems to me, was time to prepare. By cheating Prince Sirki out of several precious weeks, countless fans and admirers from far and wide were given the chance to pour out their hearts, send letters and cards, call and post and raise their collective voices in one thunderous, joyous shout of love (even as they held back the tears... their time would come soon enough).  The lucky ones were able to see him one last time, to touch him, to speak softly and laugh deeply, to remember all the monsters he made famous. And finally, to bid him well on his journey into the infinite.

As Forry's condition worsened, I began to think quite a bit about what a world without him would feel like.  Could it be possible that there would be no more "midnight snakes" at the House of Pies?  No more retellings (and re-retellings!) of his wonderful stories of Lugosi ("Amazed!") or Karloff ("Just good clean living... up to the age of six.")? No more encores of Sonny Boy or April Showers?  No more tales of the first McDonalds on Mars or "ro-ro-ro- your bot, gently down the stream"?  No more trips to Metropolis? No more puns?

But now that he's moved on, I understand that I had it all wrong.  I now realize that Forry long ago stopped existing as just a human being (though God, wasn't he one the very best of those?) and became more a state of mind, an elemental part of our lives, a touchstone and a presence that can not die.  He is our talisman, our charm, the better part of ourselves.  He's here with me now, and there with you as well.  In us he is indestructible.

Tears?  You bet, from all corners they fell (and continue to fall).  After all, we're only human.  And we'll shed more still in the days ahead.  But Forry, I strongly suspect, would soon want us to dry those tears and turn instead to... the future.  He was, after all, all about the future.  Even in the past, he could find the future.  And it is into that future that we will carry him, in us, in our good work and dreams and adventures still to come.

Still think he's gone?  Okay, then just try this.  Next time you have one of those crystal-clear, moonlit nights (you know the kind I mean, they happened all the time when we were younger) wherever you call home, take a step outside under that deep night sky.

Feel the moonlight on your face. 

And look up. Higher. 

Why, there's Forry right there, that brightest star to the right, over near Mars, just this side of forever.  Then listen closely for a soft laugh and a mischievous voice, mingling with the cool night breeze as it covers over you...

"Hi pal! You in the mood for food?"

Up, up, and away with 4SJ.

[CreepysFan]

He always seemed to be very fond of my homeland, also brought german Sci-Fi Pulphero Perry Rhodan to America.


Rainer E.

It was through Uncle Forry that I was introduced to the Perry Rhodan stories, as well as gaining an appreciation for the writings of A. E. Van Vogt. And you are so very right Ramboona, Forry is indestructable and is here with us even now.  I look at my monster room, I see him.  I look at my book collection, I see him.  And I FEEL him, here deep INSIDE.