R.I.P. Ben Chapman

[gracebuster]

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!
 

Thank you, thats very kind.

[BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG]

fmofmpls writ:
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.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Brother, TERRY,
... I cannot, as you know, always, play the Foole. This Life is a Dress-Rehearsal, for our True Role, in THE EVERNOW. BEN brought a lot of HEAVEN ONTO EARTH, by Living LOVE; his was a sterling example, for us to emulate, well worth remembering!
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY, B.G.G.

[azgillman]

I spoke to Tom Hennesy, Gillman from Revenge earlier tonight. He sounded very tired, but seemed eager to talk despite not hearing from me for about a year, and despite the bad news I had to leave with him last week. He was in good spirits.

He told me he got a another call besides mine last week, from none other than .....Paul Parla. Tom said he had no idea what Paul was up to, but had called to tell him about Ben, too. He is alive and presumably well in SoCal. I thought some of you might be interested in that little tid-bit, as some speculated he may have passed away.

Here's a pic I thought you might enjoy from the time Dan and I took Ben to see Tom several years back. Tom loved the visit. He is an AWESOME story teller and does not mince words-lol. The other pic is from Creaturefest which I scanned at the same time for another use.

[gracebuster]

So happy to hear that Tom is still around. WHat a great guy.

Hennesy has done it all. Stuntman, studio teacher, father of beautiful daughters, Creature actor.

He summed up many of the actors he knew in two categories.

a) "he was a horseman"

or

b) "he was NO horseman"


To this day, Gilbert and I will crack each other up by distinguishing people we meet in the same manner.

btw, I went to great lengths to explain how comfortable I was on a horse!

In the end, I'm sure he knew..I was NO HORSEMAN!

I'm in good company though, because neither was CLINT EASTWOOD!

[MonsterArt]

What exactly do you mean by that, Dan?



Clint

[OldTimey]

The single most uncomfortable thing I've ever done in my life was trying to ride a horse.

[fmofmpls]

Thanks AZ for sharing those pics! That was a treat seeing Tom Hennesy. What a horseman!

[michblk]

Wow! Tom is bigger than Ben!  I can't imagine seeing either of those two in costume as large as they are that must have been a sight!

BK

[gracebuster]

Hey kids,
Check this out. A nice tribute to our Benny done by Chris Gierke (?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wob9n0FH5E

[Meek]

    Hmmmn---say Frank, you wouldn't consider doing Klaus Kinski from "For a Few Dollars More" would you? I've be very much tempted to give him a most proper good home if you did.

     "Meek"(Well, well, well---waddaya know, the smoker)

What exactly do you mean by that, Dan?



Clint

[MonsterArt]

Hmmmn---say Frank, you wouldn't consider doing Klaus Kinski from "For a Few Dollars More" would you? I've be very much tempted to give him a most proper good home if you did.

Up to my ears in Western actors right now. Got 25 of them still to do for a big poster project. Klaus ain't on the list, but maybe when I'm done...

Frank

[gracebuster]

Okay friends, the time for Benny's Memorial is approching.
It'll be called THE CREATURE WALKED AMONG US.
We'll celbrate the crazy guy at our home on April 13th.
Please IM  me with your email address if you knew Ben and would like to join us.
It'll be an RSVP only event.

[gracebuster]

 I decided to move this to pictorial to it's own thread. Please rediscover it there.

[Mike Scott]

This past weekend was a chance for us "haoles" 

Gotta be careful when writing that word! 

What a great bunch of pics! Thanks for sharing those!!

And yes, that is the CFTBL six sheet.

[typhooforme]

As you have done here so consistently, Dan--a beautiful photo essay in memory of our favorite "Uncle Benny".  Thanks so much for sharing here at the UMA.  We loved Ben, and we will continue to in all the years to come.