R.I.P. Ben Chapman

[SHADOWMANN]

I thought I'd get to see him at least one more time this summer...wont' be the same with out Ben at the conventions...SM

[OldTimey]

Rest in peace, Mr. Chapman.

[creaturecrafts]

Thanks for everything Ben. You will be missed.

[gracebuster]

From  THE MARINE TIMES.

I mentioned that Ben was a great American. Here is some great information about his service ot our country.

Remembering Gill Man, a former Marine


By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 27, 2008 22:17:24 EST
   
The amphibious monster in "Creature from the Black Lagoon" was a fearsome beast, a threat to enemies on land and water who survived multiple attempts on his life.
In other words, Gill Man, the scaly star of the 1954 classic cult film, possessed some of the same characteristics as a good Marine.
Perhaps it's fitting, then, that one of the men associated most closely with the monster is Ben Chapman, a former Marine who was decorated for service in Korea, but best known as one of the men who brought the Universal Pictures' monster to life.
Chapman died Feb. 21 of congestive heart failure at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, said his longtime partner, Merrilee Kazarian. He was 79.
His death came more than 57 years after surviving the 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where the private with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines was one of about 40,000 leathernecks and soldiers who fought off more than 100,000 Chinese troops in temperatures that dipped to 30 degrees below zero.
Kazarian said Chapman spoke often of his time in the Corps. He was also proud of regaining the use of his feet, which doctors considered amputating after they were terribly frostbitten near Chosin.
"He told them that if they chopped off his feet, he'd cut chop off their (testicles)," his son, Benjamin Chapman III, 29, said with a laugh in a Feb. 27 telephone interview from Honolulu.
In a 2005 interview with the Web site Icons of Fright, Chapman said he arrived in Korea as part of the Inchon Landing, a successful amphibious assault in September 1950 against North Korea's People's Army that was a turning point in the war. He also recalled the battle at Chosin Reservoir.
"The military said it was a bad situation and everyone should pull out — like a retreat," he said. "That's where there's a very famous quote coming from our commanding officer, General Oliver P. Smith...: 'Retreat, Hell!' The Marine Corps never retreats."
For his service in Korea, Chapman was decorated with a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He left the Corps in 1952 as a sergeant, his son said.
Chapman's connection to Gill Man, though, was central to his identity.
It was partly by luck that Chapman received the role, he acknowledged in news accounts over the years. The break came at 24, after he moved to California and became a contract player with Universal, getting the part because of his imposing 6-foot-5 frame.
Being Gill Man was complicated at times. Chapman and Ricou Browning, who wore the Gill Man suit in underwater scenes, didn't receive any mention in the credits for the movie, and when Universal decided to produce two sequels, Chapman was left out.
"Sure, I kind of resented that they didn't call me back, but what are you going to do?" Chapman told the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal in 1999. "My option [with the studio] was not picked up. You can't dwell on these things."
But Chapman's Gill Man role was important to him right to the end. A real estate developer after leaving Hollywood, he appeared at movie monster festivals across the country regularly, and was known for his affability with fans.
"(I have) many terrific memories of seeing Ben holding court at his autograph table, chatting it up with fans," wrote one fan on Universal Monster Army, an Internet message board, after hearing about Chapman's death. "Kids LOVED him and he gave it right back to all his fans, big or small."
A 9 a.m. funeral will be held at St. Augustine By-The-Sea Church in Honolulu on March 29, giving family and friends across the U.S. time to plan for the trip, Kazarian said. Chapman's ashes will be scattered off the coast of Waikiki Beach from Hawaiian outrigger canoes.

Ben Chapman, a former Marine, gained fame as the Gill Man in "Creature from the Black Lagoon."

As a young Marine, Ben Chapman almost had to have his feet amputated because of frostbite.

[fmofmpls]

From  THE MARINE TIMES.

"(I have) many terrific memories of seeing Ben holding court at his autograph table, chatting it up with fans," wrote one fan on Universal Monster Army, an Internet message board, after hearing about Chapman's death.

Thanks Dan for posting that informative article. The UMA being mentioned in the Marine Times! How cool is that? An honor like no other! Ben and the UMA in the Marine Times. Wow. What an amazing man and an amazing thread.

[gracebuster]

For many years after the Creature Ben went about his life. He was Dancing in shows, Selling Real Estate, Taking tourists on tours of the islands and condos (no doubt).

Paul Parla may have been the one to bring him back to us, although there was, according to Ben, some archiac "managorial "split of Ben's money.

We started corresponding when I was on Matlock. The rest is history. These pics are from the first  times we all got to hang out. It would have been around April 1997 (based on my hair for the movie, Cadillac)

John and I having our first Breakfast with him.



At Bob Burns House.











Then at my first home, later that night.





He signed everything.



Long before the CVS Creatures Laura Lady made this one for Grace as a gift when she was born.
It's still one of our favorite things in the house.





Grace was THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON for her first Halloween. Kelly worked very hard on this costume (I think Kathy Burns helped).






When we were done for the night, we decided Grace should be on the Creature shelf. We finally allowed her to get down when she needed to attend school.

[Mike Scott]

Man, am I ever jealous! Even my text is turning (Creature) green!

[gracebuster]

I will make an offical announcement soon.

We will have a memorial here at my home on April 13th (pending my schedule).
I'm going to call the memorial

THE CREATURE WALKED AMONG US : A celebration of Ben Chapman's life!

It wil be attended by Ben's "wife" Merilee, his son, Ben the third and his other son, Grant.
His 90 year old sister and Niece will also be there.

If you knew Ben and would like to attend you would be welcome. There will be an RSVP list attached to the official invitation.

If you might be able to attend  and would like to recieve an invitation please PM me here with your email address and write "Ben Chapman" in the subject line..

[michblk]

Wow Dan, thanks for posting those pics, a peek at Mr Burns collection and I enjoyed seeing Ben tower over the Prop Creature!

BK

[Mego73]

Great pictures. Are you the one that played Jay Leno in The Late Shift?

[monsterphile]

Great pictures. Are you the one that played Jay Leno in The Late Shift?

That was Dan.  Here's his IMDB listing.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736263/

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

Dearest UMA FANG-MILY,
... After nearly 2 months, sans computer, I am playing catch-up...
... Your out-pouring, of sorrow, mixed, with your even greater revelations, of Joy, over the life, of, and, your friendships, with, BEN CHAPMAN, has been most enriching, to read, even, moving me to tears, at the eloquence, of your loving remembrances! Thank you, all!
... I'd met BEN, in passing, a couple of times, at Conventions, but, due to my usual Convention work, which most of you know, time never allowed me, just to hang with him.
... SIR JAMES M. BARRIE wrote: "Those, who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves." This observation fit BEN to a "T"! His constant smile, and, humble, affable, demeanor were an obvious magnet, to all who came into his presence, and, I am the poorer for this loss.
... Last year's MONSTER BASH, when he was so ill, provided our first {and, sadly, last} real meeting. Hearing of his physical plight, I kept him in prayer, all weekend.
... When I caught a ride, back to Ohio, courtesy of our Friend, and, Brother, HARRY HATTER, we had two other passengers; one, being BEN, to make his airport connection, to his Beloved Hawaii.
... BEN was very frail; weak, from his corporeal ordeal. I was most honored, to assist him, in his entry, into, and, exit, from the vehicle. We spoke during the ride, and, despite, his health being compromised by his ailment, he was, still, his innately charming self. He gave me his last T-shirt, which I treasure.
... His work, as THE CREATURE, assured his rightful place in the Pantheon of Classic Universal Monsters; however, it is even more wonderful to learn so much about him, as he was so much more: Husband, Father, Friend, American Hero/Combat Marine, Catholic Christian.
... It is BARON Von WOLFSTEIN'S MOTTO: "Keeping The Class, In The Classic Monsters." BEN CHAPMAN was a "Classic Class Act", whether wearing the GILL-MAN Suit, or, not. I can see why so many called him "Dad", his magnificent all-embracing heart welcomed, all, to be his kids! He reminds me of my Dad, who was a Marine Master Sergeant, in WWII, in the fierce battles, of Okinawa & Guam, afterwards spending his life, in Education, to serve, in the betterment of our whole society.
... As it is, with every Soul, who lives their allotted span of finite life, in LOVE: Earth is a little darker, yet, Heaven is a little brighter, in BEN'S passage from this life, into GOD'S.
... Let us take, from BEN'S example, from his friendship, and, boundless Love, the will, to live our lives, so filled with Love, that, we shall be re-united, with him, in GOD'S EVERNOW. 
... Rest In PEACE, BEN CHAPMAN, in THE LIVING LOVE, Beyond every sorrow, tear, or, death.
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY, THE BARON & FRIENDS, B.G.G.

[michblk]

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

My Daughter and her cousin were commenting on that the other day when they saw my picture with him.  The Spongebob Creators had to have met Ben sometime.

BK

[Mego73]

That was Dan.  Here's his IMDB listing.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736263/

Wow, I didn't know you were a UMA'er. You and Kathy Bates were so great in that movie and I'm glad you are here with us to remember Ben Chapman!

[fmofmpls]

Thank you Baron for such an inspiring and uplifting tribute to Mr. Chapman. Your words have a way of soothing one's soul.

Glad to see your return to the UMA. It's always nice to see your name here.