It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of longtime Rue Morgue friend, Ben “The Gillman” Chapman, who passed away this morning at 12:15 AM Hawaii time after being taken off life support, as per his living will. He was 79 years old.
Ben Chapman is most remembered for his role as The Creature (on land) in Jack Arnold’s 1954 Universal classic, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Ricou Browning (a professional swimmer) handled the underwater scenes, while Chapman donned the suit on land (both actors were uncredited). Chapman was one of the last men to play a classic Universal monster. He was a kind and gentle man who was proud of his horror heritage and would gladly sit and recollect with his fans, young and old, about his involvement in the film and more. The genre has lost yet another one of its venerated heroes.
I’ll miss you Ben. Aloha, dear friend, dear creature.
RIP Ben Chapman (1928-2008)
Ben Chapman as The Creature.
With Ben at a convention back in 2000.
Ben Chapman with Starlet Julie Adams.
Gillmen: Chapman (right) with Ricou Browning.
Chapman at one of his many convention appearances.
Rue Morgue 21 Special Issue.
Comment by FEEDBACK — February 22, 2008 @ 1:20 am
Sad news.
Next week - I’m going to post a link to his entire Q&A from the 2006 FESTIVAL OF FEAR in the RUE MORGUE RADIO forum.
R.I.P. Mr. Chapman
Comment by Nev — February 22, 2008 @ 11:03 am
I never had the honor to meet the man, but I wish I had. Thanks for soon posting the link to his Q&A Feedback. Cant wait to hear it.
I hope we can get more classics to the Fest sometime int he future because it would be a great oppertunity to meet the last of the best before its too late.
RIP Gillman!!
Comment by Michael Michalski — February 22, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Given that I interviewed Ben for both Rue Morgue and Scarlet Street, if the mods allow it, I have posted an extended remembrance of Ben in my blog, available at this link: http://www.theglobalcollector.com/index.php/in-memory-of-original-creature-from-black-lagoon
God bless you, Ben . . .
Comment by Dave — February 26, 2008 @ 1:38 am
When you work in the horror industry for a while, particularly having involvement with conventions, you learn pretty quick that many horror celebs are in it for the money (despite their best efforts to fake it) and some for the love, and Ben, more than most, really loved meeting fans. He was very kind, generous and appreciative. After his Festival of Fear appearance he sent care packages to the office full of autographed Creature goodies. As far as I know, everyone that met him couldn’t say enough kind things about the Gillman.
Here’s to a helluva guy.
Comment by GermanElf — February 28, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Meeting Ben at the FOF was a great opportunity that had the pleasure of having.
He had a gentle and peacefull nature to him. He spoke candid about his time as Gillman and was by far one of the most memorable meeting I have had since the opening of FOF.
I will always think of him with fond memories.