R.I.P. Ben Chapman

[Meek]

   I'm sorry to hear of his death. Ben Chapman was one of the nicest people to walk the Earth; very generous with his time to his fans and damned funny.
  When I asked him why the color photos of the Creature always showed him sporting what looked like ruby red lip gloss, Ben replied "Oh, I only wore that on Saturday nights when I wanted to look nice when I went out."
  I'm not one for hugging but I do have a photo of myself being given a generous bear hug by Ben Chapman and remember the genuine warmth of it.

  "Meek"

[fmofmpls]

Recruiting Ben Chapman.

[MonsterArt]

I love you, Benny.

Frank

[gracebuster]

 Merrilee, Ben's beautiful wife,  just called.

I will send this link to her (and Ben jr and Grant), so please feel free to express your thoughts here and they will see them.

Ben went to the one place more beautiful then Hawaii, at 12:15 am last night. He was off life support (his wish) for 12 long hours, being the fighter untill the end!

He was in a beautiful room at TRIPLER ARMY HOSPITAL, a magnificent pink hotel like building that sits on the mountianside just outside of Honolulu. Ben pointed it out to me on a few occasions and told me what a great place it was.

He was with Merilee and Ben jr. (his son, Grant was stuck on the mainland) and recieved the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (last rights) by a Catholic priest shortly before he passed away.

Rest assured that Ben went with God.

[The Drunken Severed Head]

This is such bad news. When I saw him at Monster Bashes, he was very down-to-Earth, and friendly to everyone, and just seemed to be truly enjoying himself.

This really saddens me.

[egorschamber]

THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is the first horror movie (possibly the first movie of ANY kind) that I can remember seeing, at the Islander Drive-In in Key West when it first came out, sitting in the back seat of the family car by myself.  It scared the HELL out of me, but it also fascinated me and initiated a lifelong interest in awesome monsters.

I got to spend some time with Ben when I first met him at Monster Bash in 2000. Some friends and I had a table in the same room with him, and we helped him whenever we could over the weekend.  I was delighted to find out that the big lovable monster I'd known so long was such a big lovable character inside too. A very warm, friendly, funny, GENUINE guy -- and a little outrageous too!  I brought along one of those near-lifesize diecut standees of the Creature that Blockbuster used to advertise the video, and Ben displayed it behind his table all weekend. At the end of the show he inscribed and signed it for me across Blackie's midsection with a big silver marker... and he offered to add an off-color anatomical doodle if I wanted it. I wish now that I'd taken him up on it.

This would be a good day to watch THE CREATURE again and revisit the magic and the majesty.

[smmayhem]

Back when I was publishing my fanzine, someone gave me Ben Chapman's phone number.  I hesitantly called and he was just so forthcoming  and generous with an over-the-phone interview, signed photos, information, etc.  He was so appreciative that all of us Monster Kid fans existed and that a small little fanzine like Stoner's Monster Mayhem would even be interested!



We became good convention going friends and I always looked forward to his Christmas card from Hawaii!!



Ben was quite the character and I will miss him dearly!

Maniacally,

Rick
Stoner's Monster Mayhem

[Toy Ranch]

Sad news indeed. Ben was always so gracious and kind and funny. At last year's Monster Bash, he was scheduled to appear and was at the hotel, but was having a hard time with his health and had to stay in his room for most of the show. He had not been looking well and it did seem like things were not going in a good direction for him. Ben will definitely be missed.

Rest in peace, Gillman.

[saul62]

It's truly a sad day, i've met Ben a few times at the Chiller convention in New Jersey and at Wonderfest in Kentucky, he was a pleasant and joyful individual who enjoyed his fans. i had the pleasure to hang with him in the holtel room with some friends one evening and i have to say he was so funny and a pleasure to speak to. Dan and the rest, thanks for sharing those photos. Rest in Peace Ben!!!

Saul

[typhooforme]

I shared this with Frank already, but I know he won't mind my copying it here, too--anyone who spent time with Ben at conventions will recognize this typical outgoing burst of enthusiasm that WAS Ben:

That first time I met him, maybe 9 or 10 years ago--I was at the Bash with a former student, Eric, and my god, how we laughed--he had a totally contagious good humor.  He did this with everyone, not just us, of course, but it sticks with me as my "first impression".  When you bought a photo from him and he signed it, of course he trotted out all those other things he threw in for free--his Gill Man money, a xerox of a newspaper article, a copy of his contract, and so on...and he signed every damn thing, too--and he started to hand Eric the stack of stuff (he'd already given me mine), and he took it back, and he said, "Here, lemme show ya how t'do this--ya lay it out like this--put the 8x10 down here, and then ya put the contract next to it, and put the card here and the money here and...ya get yerself a BIIIIG frame, and put that all in there like that!  THEN ya GOT somethin'!"  We thought this was the coolest thing in the world, him explaining that, all so enthusiastic and with that big lopsided grin.  Can't  you just hear him doing that?

He was my pal ever after, and as long as he felt well enough, there'd be a Christmas card in my mailbox from HI every year.  He was funny and ornery and wonderful.  I'm missing him all day here--and I know that feeling will continue for a long time.

[raycastile]

It saddens me that I will not be able to see Mr. Chapman again this summer, but I'm glad his passing was peaceful and I celebrate the long and fruitful life he enjoyed.  I'm thankful for his contributions to our culture through his film work, his sacrifice for our freedom through his military service, and for the warmth and generosity he showed us in his convention appearances.  

The first monster toy I ever saw was the Aurora Creature glow kit, sitting on a bottom shelf in a drug store junk aisle.  I remember that moment - the moment I discovered monster toys existed.  A new world of childhood possibilities suddenly materialized.  It was the first step on a journey I'm still taking.  The Creature from the Black Lagoon was one of the first movies I remember watching with my father.  It was the only monster movie he  seemed to anticipate as much as I did.  In fact, he introduced me to it, describing the story beforehand.  He never did that with any other film.

Thanks again Ben for helping to build the person I am.

[Jim Bertges]

I only met Mr. Chapman once and from that one meeting, I know the truth in what everone is saying about him. His warmth and humor just seemed to shine through. He gave so much to his fans, I hope he got just as much in return from all of us. Thank you Mr. Chapman, you will be missed, but most of all you will be remembered.

[Creepy]

I am very sad at this news.  Ben was a wonderful man and always had time for his fans.  My fondest memory was my 11 yr. old son (my monster kid) being sooo excited to meet Ben at a Monster Bash.  Sean loves the Creature and will be heart broken to hear this news.

Very sad day, indeed.

[gracebuster]

So many memories and so wonderful to read that we all had the same experience.

I could go on and on about the crazy times, but, surely, one of the best times was when we took him to Universal Studios to visit the Lagoon for the first time in 50 years.

John Fasono wrote a wonderful article on this for HORROR SHOW (Alfrey's creature is on the cover)

It was bright and early one morning in Febuary 2006. Around 7:00am.

Join us now, as we take a trip of a lifetime.







Ben sees the Lagoon for the first time in 5 decades!




Here he's pointing out which direction the Rita entered from. That is army member Tim Keegan, ben's son, Grany and , of course John Gilbert.





This was great, here was a story about how Rock Hudson had him hide under water and then jump out to scare some actress or another.






He loved me..okay, he'd kiss a wino if it would get a laugh!










Seconds before this shot I , inadvertantly, tripped the RED SEA gag. We were sure that it would be only a matter of time before we were escotreted off the lot.

LIKE MOSES, BEN was a father to many!






And they were one! (him and the lagoon)








How the lagoon looked for Ben when he waited underwater to shoot (or pee, knowing him)




The gang.
The other fellas are John Fasano and Steve Christopher.




We meandered over to the Tank. This is the same tank that they tested the creature suit in, it has been moved, however.















His loving son, Grant.




Always room for a JOKE!





Love ya, Dad!



BTW, doesn't look like MERMAID MAN on Sponge Bob. We swear they met him at a convention.

[fmofmpls]

Danny. Those pics just put this forum on the map! That's as good as it gets! Wow! How can I thank you for posting those? PRICELESS!