[
He also contributed to film magazines from all around the world, including the Spanish-language '' La Cosa: Cine Fantástico'' magazine from ]Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
, where he had a monthly column for more than four years. In the 1960s, Ackerman organized the publication of an English translation in the U.S. of the German science fiction series ''Perry Rhodan
''Perry Rhodan'' is a West German/ German space opera franchise, named after its hero. It commenced in 1961 and has been ongoing for decades, written by an ever-changing team of authors. Having sold approximately two billion copies (in novel ...
'', the longest-running science fiction series in history. These were published by Ace Books from 1969 through 1977. Ackerman's German-speaking wife Wendayne ("Wendy") did most of the translation. The American books were issued with varying frequency from one to as many as four per month. Ackerman also used the paperback series to promote science fiction short stories, including his own on occasion. These "magabooks" or "bookazines" also included a film review section, known as "Scientifilm World", and letters from readers. The American series came to an end when the management of Ace changed, and the new management decided that the series was too juvenile for their taste. The last Ace issue was #118, which corresponded to German issue #126 as some of the Ace editions contained two of the German issues, and three of the German issues had been skipped. Ackerman later published translations of German issues #127 through #145 on his own under the Master Publications imprint. (The original German series continues today and passed issue #2800 in 2015.)
Appearances in film, television, and music
A lifelong fan of science fiction " B-movies", Ackerman appeared in more than 210 films, including parts in many monster movies and science fiction films ('' Dracula vs. Frankenstein'', ''The Howling
''The Howling'' is a 1977 horror novel by Gary Brandner. It was the inspiration for the movie ''The Howling'' (1981), although the plot of the movie was only vaguely similar to that of the book.
Brandner published two sequels to the novel, '' T ...
'', '' The Aftermath'', '' Scalps'', ''Return of the Living Dead Part II
''Return of the Living Dead Part II'' is a 1988 American comedy horror film written and directed by Ken Wiederhorn, and starring Michael Kenworthy, Marsha Dietlein, Dana Ashbrook, Thom Mathews, James Karen, and Phil Bruns. It is the first of ...
'', '' Innocent Blood''), more traditional "imagi-movies" ('' The Time Travelers'', ''Future War
''Future War'' is a 1997 American direct-to-video science fiction film about an escaped human slave fleeing his cyborg masters and seeking refuge on Earth. It was lampooned in a 1999 episode of ''Mystery Science Theater 3000''.
Plot
A spaceship ...
''), spoofs and comedies (''Amazon Women on the Moon
''Amazon Women on the Moon'' is a 1987 American satirical science fiction film that parodies the experience of watching low-budget films on late-night television. The film, featuring a large ensemble cast including cameo appearances from film and ...
'', ''The Wizard of Speed and Time
''The Wizard of Speed and Time'' is a 1988 low-budget feature film written, directed, and starring animator Mike Jittlov, as well as a 1979 16 mm short film, also by Jittlov.
1979 short film
In the original short film, a young man in a green wi ...
'', ''Curse of the Queerwolf
''Curse of the Queerwolf'' is a 1988 comedy horror film directed by Mark Pirro. Michael Palazzolo and Kent Butler starred in the film.
Plot
Larry meets someone he believes to be a woman, but is actually a transvestite, who turns him into a "quee ...
'', '' Transylvania Twist'', ''Hard to Die
''Sorority House Massacre III: Hard to Die'' (also known as ''Tower of Terror'' or simply ''Hard to Die'') is a 1990 American slasher film written by Mark Thomas McGee and James B. Rogers, directed by Jim Wynorski, and starring Gail Harris and M ...
'', '' Nudist Colony of the Dead'', '' Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold'') and at least one major music video ('' Michael Jackson's Thriller''). His Bacon number
Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon or Bacon's Law is a parlor game where players challenge each other to arbitrarily choose an actor and then connect them to another actor via a film that both actors have appeared in together, repeating this process to t ...
is 2.
In 1961, Ackerman narrated the record ''Music for Robots'' created by Frank Allison Coe. The cover featured Ackerman's face superimposed on the robot from the film ''Tobor the Great
''Tobor the Great'' (a.k.a. ''Tobor'') is a 1954 independently made American black-and-white science fiction film, produced by Richard Goldstone, directed by Lee Sholem, and starring Charles Drake, Karin Booth, and Billy Chapin. The film wa ...
''. The record was reissued on CD in 2005.
Ackerman appears as a character in ''The Vampire Affair'' by David McDaniel
David Edward McDaniel (16 June 1939 – 1 November 1977) was an American science fiction author, who also wrote spy fiction, including several novels based upon the television series ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.''
Biography
David McDaniel w ...
(a novel in the '' Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' series), and Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer (January 26, 1918 – February 25, 2009) was an American author known for his science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories.
Obituary.
Farmer is best known for his sequences of novels, especially the ''World of Tiers ...
's novel '' Image of the Beast'', first published as the short story "Blown" in ''Screw
A screw and a bolt (see '' Differentiation between bolt and screw'' below) are similar types of fastener typically made of metal and characterized by a helical ridge, called a ''male thread'' (external thread). Screws and bolts are used to f ...
'' magazine by Al Goldstein
Alvin "Al" Goldstein (January 10, 1936December 19, 2013) was an American pornographer. He is known for helping normalize hardcore pornography in the United States.
Background
Goldstein was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to a Jewish family. He ...
.
A character based on Ackerman and an analog to the Ackermansion appears in the collaborative novel '' Fallen Angels'' written jointly by Larry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven (; born April 30, 1938) is an American science fiction writer. His best-known works are '' Ringworld'' (1970), which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards, and, with Jerry Pournelle, '' The Mote in God's E ...
, Jerry Pournelle
Jerry Eugene Pournelle (; August 7, 1933 – September 8, 2017) was an American scientist in the area of operations research and human factors research, a science fiction writer, essayist, journalist, and one of the first bloggers. In the 1960s ...
, and Michael F. Flynn.
"Eccar the Man" is mentioned in '' The Flying Sorcerers'', a novel jointly written by Niven and David Gerrold
David Gerrold (born Jerrold David Friedman; January 24, 1944)Reginald, R. (September 12, 2010)''Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, Volume 2'' Borgo Press p. 911. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved June 23, 2013. is an American science fic ...
, which features a number of characters based on notables from the science fiction community.
He appeared on the intro track of Ohio horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes punk rock and 1950s-influenced doo-wop and rockabilly sounds with morbid and violent imagery and lyrics which are often influenced by horror films and science fiction B-movies. The genre was pioneered b ...
music group Manimals' 1999 album ''Horrorcore''.
In 2001, Ackerman played the part of an old wax museum caretaker in the camp comedy film ''The Double-D Avenger
''The Double-D Avenger'' is a 2001 American comedy film by William Winckler.
This film, first released in fall 2001, written, produced and directed by cult filmmaker William Winckler, is a campy spoof of "Wonder Woman" about a costumed superwoma ...
'' directed by William Winckler
William Winckler (born October 3, 1964 in California) is an American actor and independent filmmaker best known for writing, producing and directing cult movies, horror films and English dubbed animation. He is the son of child actor Robert ...
and starring Russ Meyer
Russell Albion Meyer (March 21, 1922 – September 18, 2004) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, and editor. He is known primarily for writing and directing a series of successful sexploitation films that fea ...
luminaries Kitten Natividad
Francesca Isabel Natividad (February 13, 1948 – September 24, 2022), known professionally as Kitten Natividad, was a Mexican-American film actress and exotic dancer. She was noted for her 44-inch (112 cm) bust, and appearances in cult films ma ...
, Haji
Hajji ( ar, الحجّي; sometimes spelled Hadji, Haji, Alhaji, Al-Hadj, Al-Haj or El-Hajj) is an honorific title which is given to a Muslim who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca. It is also often used to refer to an elder, since it ...
, and Raven De La Croix. Ackerman played a crazy old man who was in love with Kitten Natividad's character, The Double-D Avenger, and his character also talked to the Frankenstein
''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus'' is an 1818 novel written by English author Mary Shelley. ''Frankenstein'' tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific ...
figure and other wax monsters in the museum's chamber of horrors.
Ackerman appeared extensively on-screen discussing his life and the history of science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or fandom of people interested in science fiction in contact with one another based upon that interest. SF fandom has a life of its own, but not much in the way of formal organization (although ...
in the 2006 documentary film ''Finding the Future''.
In 2007, Roadhouse Films of Canada released a documentary, ''Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman''. The documentary, available on DVD only in the UK, airs regularly on the BRAVO channel.
In the 2012 action film ''Premium Rush
''Premium Rush'' is a 2012 American action thriller film directed by David Koepp and written by Koepp and John Kamps. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Dania Ramirez, and Jamie Chung. It follows a bicycle messenger chased arou ...
'', the character of the corrupt policeman Bobby Monday (played by Michael Shannon
Michael Corbett Shannon (born August 7, 1974) is an American actor, producer, musician, and theater director. He is an off beat actor known for his on-screen versatility, performing in both comedies and dramas. He became known for his frequent ...
) repeatedly uses the alias "Forrest J Ackerman".
In 2013, the science fiction author Jason V Brock
Jason Vincent Brock (born March 1, 1970) is an American author, artist, editor and filmmaker.
He is the CEO and co-founder (with his wife, Sunni) of JaSunni Productions, LLC, whose documentary films include '' Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of ...
released a feature-length documentary about Ackerman called ''The Ackermonster Chronicles!''.
Personal life
Ackerman had one sibling, a younger brother, Alden Lorraine Ackerman, who was killed at the Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. The battle lasted from 16 December 1944 to 28 January 1945, towards the end of the war in ...
.
Ackerman was married to a German-born teacher and translator, Mathilda Wahrman (1912–1990), whom he met in the early 1950s while she was working in a book store he happened to visit. He eventually dubbed her "Wendayne" or, less formally, "Wendy", by which name she became most generally known within SF and film fandoms, after the character in ''Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythi ...
'', his favorite fantasy.[ Although they went through a period of separation during the late 1950s and early 1960s, they remained officially married until her death: she suffered serious internal injuries when she was violently mugged while visiting Italy in 1990 and irreparable damage to her kidneys led to her death. By choice, they had no children of their own, but Wahrman did have a son by an earlier marriage, Michael Porges, who did not get along with Ackerman and would not live in Ackerman's home.
Ackerman was fluent in the international language Esperanto, and claimed to have walked down ]Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...
arm-in-arm with Leo G. Carroll
Leo Gratten Carroll (25 October 1886 – 16 October 1972) was an English actor. In a career of more than forty years, he appeared in six Hitchcock films including ''Spellbound'', '' Strangers on a Train'' and ''North by Northwest'' and in thre ...
singing ''La Espero
"La Espero" ( en, "The Hope") is a poem written by Polish-Jewish doctor L. L. Zamenhof (1859–1917), the initiator of the Esperanto language. The song is often used as the (unofficial) anthem of Esperanto, and is now usually sung to a trium ...
'', the hymn of Esperanto.
Ackerman also received a diploma from Sequoia University, unaccredited higher education
Higher education is tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Higher education, also called post-secondary education, third-level or tertiary education, is an optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after comple ...
institution in Los Angeles, California in April 1969, which named him a Fellow of the Sequoia Research Institute.
Ackerman was an atheist at age 15, but did not emphasize that fact in his public life and welcomed people of all faiths as well as no faith into his home and personal circle equally.
Death
In 2003, Ackerman said, "I aim at hitting 100 and becoming the George Burns
George Burns (born Nathan Birnbaum; January 20, 1896March 9, 1996) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer, and one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. His arched eyebr ...
of science fiction". His health, however, had been failing. He had a major heart attack in 1966 and wore a pacemaker thereafter. He was susceptible to infection in his later life and, after one final trip to the hospital in October 2008, informed his best friend and caregiver Joe Moe that he did not want to go on but hoped to live long enough to vote for Barack Obama in the November 2008 presidential election. Ackerman checked himself out of the hospital and refused further treatment, accepting only a hospice service. Honoring his wishes, his friends assisted him in holding what he delighted in calling "a living funeral". In his final days he saw everyone he wanted to say goodbye to. Fans were encouraged to send messages of farewell by mail.
While there were several premature reports of his death in the month prior, Ackerman died a minute before midnight on December 4, 2008, at the age of 92. From his "Acker-mini-mansion" in Hollywood, he had entertained and inspired fans weekly with his collection of memorabilia and his stories.
Upon his death, the administration of Ackerman's estate was entrusted to his friend, television producer Kevin Burns
Kevin Burns (June 18, 1955September 27, 2020), was an American television and film producer, director, and screenwriter. His work can be seen on A&E, National Geographic Channel, E!, Animal Planet, AMC, Bravo, WE tv, Travel Channel, Lifetim ...
. Burns was tasked with the sale and distribution of Mr. Ackerman's extensive collection of Science Fiction and Horror memorabilia. Included in this were Bela Lugosi
Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), known professionally as Bela Lugosi (; ), was a Hungarian and American actor best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 horror classic ''Dracula'', Ygor in ''S ...
's ring from ''Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
''Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'' is a 1948 American horror comedy film directed by Charles Barton (director), Charles Barton. The film features Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) who has become partners with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert), a ...
'' and Lon Chaney
Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and affli ...
's teeth and top hat from '' London After Midnight''. There were eighteen beneficiaries named in Ackerman's will, including three waitresses from his favorite restaurant and hangout, " The House of Pies". His personal papers—books, correspondence, fan mail, and more—went to the Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University (he had made prior donations of material there, as well as to the University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming (UW) is a public land-grant research university in Laramie, Wyoming. It was founded in March 1886, four years before the territory was admitted as the 44th state, and opened in September 1887. The University of Wyoming ...
, Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU or Eastern) is a public university with a main campus in Portales, New Mexico, and two associate degree-granting branches, one at Ruidoso and one at Roswell. ENMU is New Mexico's largest regional comprehensiv ...
, and the University of California
The University of California (UC) is a public land-grant research university system in the U.S. state of California. The system is composed of the campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Franci ...
).
Ackerman is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) with his wife. His plaque simply reads, "Sci-Fi Was My High".
Legacy
A 2013 rebroadcast of the PBS program ''Visiting ... with Huell Howser
Huell Burnley Howser (October 18, 1945 – January 7, 2013) was an American television personality, actor, producer, writer, singer, and voice artist, best known for hosting, producing, and writing ''California's Gold'' and his human interest sh ...
,'' originally airing in 2000, which featured Ackerman and highlighted his memorabilia collection, was revised to indicate that Ackerman had since died and his collection had been auctioned.
On Thursday morning, November 17, 2016, the corner of Franklin and Vermont Avenues, in the heart of the neighborhood "Uncle Forry" lived in for 30 years, was christened Forrest J Ackerman Square.
Awards
* Hugo Awards
** Number 1 Fan Personality, 1953
** Retro Hugo for Best Fanzine, 1939 (awarded 2014), for ''Imagination!''
** Retro Hugo for Best Fanzine, 1946 (awarded 2016) for '' Voice of the Imagi-Nation!''
* Horror Hall of Fame Induction Award, 1989 (Forry dubbed the Award, "The Grimmy")
* The Saturn Award for Special Service, 1994 at the 21st Saturn Awards
* The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Inducted to the Monster Kid Hall Of Fame
* Bram Stoker Award
The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented annually by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) for "superior achievement" in dark fantasy and horror writing.
History
The Awards were established in 1987 and have been presented annually since ...
for Lifetime Achievement, 1996
* Monster Bash Achievement Award, 2007 (Initial winner. The award is dubbed, "The Forry")
* Mangled Skyscraper Award at G-FEST '99 for contributions to the giant monster genre
* World Fantasy Award
The World Fantasy Awards are a set of awards given each year for the best fantasy fiction published during the previous calendar year. Organized and overseen by the World Fantasy Convention, the awards are given each year at the eponymous ann ...
for Lifetime Achievement, 2002
* Inkpot Award
The Inkpot Award is an honor bestowed annually since 1974 by Comic-Con International. It is given to professionals in the fields of comic books, comic strips, animation, science fiction, and related areas of popular culture, at CCI's annual conv ...
, 1974
Writing
Non-fiction
* ''A Reference Guide to American Science Fiction Films''
* ''The Frankenscience Monster'', 1969, paperback, Ace Books #25130
* ''Forrest J Ackerman's Worlds of Science Fiction'', Santa Monica, CA: General Publishing Group 1997
* ''Famous Forry Fotos: Over 70 Years of Ackermemories'', 117pp, trade paperback, 2001, Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
* ''Mr. Monster's Movie Gold: A Treasure-Trove Of Imagi-Movies''
* ''Worlds of Tomorrow: The Amazing Universe of Science Fiction Art'' w/Brad Linaweaver. . 178pp. 2004 Collectors Press
* ''Lon of 1000 Faces''
* ''Famous Monster of Filmland #1: An encyclopedia of the first 50 issues''
* ''Famous Monster of Filmland #2: An encyclopedia of issues 50–100''
* ''Metropolis by Thea von Harbou – intro and "stillustration" by FJ Ackerman''
Anthologies
* ''Rainbow Fantasia: 35 Spectrumatic Tales of Wonder'', 559pp., 2001, hardbound and trade paperback, Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
* ''Science Fiction Worlds of Forrest J Ackerman''
* ''Best Science Fiction for 1973''
* ''The Gernsback Awards Vol. 1, 1926''
* ''Gosh! Wow! (Sense of Wonder) Science Fiction''
* ''Reel Futures ''
* ''I, Vampire: Interviews with the Undead''
* ''Ackermanthology: Millennium Edition: 65 Astonishing Rediscovered Sci-Fi Shorts'', Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
* ''Womanthology'', (w/Pam Keesey) 352pp, hardbound and trade paperback, 2003, Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
* ''Martianthology'' (ed.by Anne Hardin), 266pp, hardbound and trade paperback, 2003, Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
* ''Film Futures ''
* ''Expanded Science Fiction Worlds of Forrest J Ackerman and Friends, PLUS'', 205pp, hardbound and trade paperback, 2002, Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
* ''Dr. Acula's Thrilling Tales of the Uncanny'', xiv+267pp. Trade Paper, Sense of Wonder Press, James A. Rock & Co., Publishers.
* ''Forrest J Ackerman presents Anthology Of The Living Dead'' 318pp, trade paperback, 2009, Black Bed Sheets Books, Publishers.
Short stories
* "Nyusa, Nymph of Darkness"
* "The Shortest Story Ever Told"
* "A Martian Oddity"
* "Earth's Lucky Day"
* "The Record"
* "Micro Man"
* "Dhactwhu!-Remember?"
* "Kiki"
* "The Mute Question"
* "Atoms and Stars"
* "The Lady Takes a Powder"
* "Sabina of the White Cylinder"
* "What an Idea!"
* "Death Rides the Spaceways"
* "Dwellers in the Dust"
* "Burn Witch, Burn"
* "Yvala"
* "The Girl Who Wasn't There"
* "Count Down to Doom"
* "Time to Change"
* "And Then the Cover Was Bare"
* "The Atomic Monument"
* "Letter to an Angel"
* "The Man Who Was Thirsty"
* "The Radclyffe Effect"
* "Cosmic Report Card: Earth"
* "Great Gog's Grave"
* "The Naughty Venuzian"
See also
*
References
Additional biographies
*
*
*
4e's Foyer: biography
Article on Ackerman's persona and life
External links
Forrest J. Ackerman appears onstage at the 40th anniversary of "The Time Machine"
Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University
Forrest J Ackerman Papers
American Heritage Center
The American Heritage Center is the University of Wyoming's repository of manuscripts, rare books, and the university archives. Its collections focus on Wyoming
Wyoming () is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United ...
, University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming (UW) is a public land-grant research university in Laramie, Wyoming. It was founded in March 1886, four years before the territory was admitted as the 44th state, and opened in September 1887. The University of Wyoming ...
Interview and shoot with Forrest J Ackerman, ''Bizarre Magazine''
Roadhouse Film's Famous Monster documentary page
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ackerman, Forrest J.
1916 births
2008 deaths
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Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
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