View source for Forrest J Ackerman

{{Short description|American writer and collector (1916–2008)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Forrest J Ackerman<!-- The "J" with no period after the middle initial, instead of "J.", is not an error. Please do not change.-->
| birth_name = Forrest James Ackerman
| image = File:Forrest Ackerman (1965).jpg
| caption = Ackerman in 1965
| birth_date = {{birth date|1916|11|24}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2008|12|4|1916|11|24}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| years_active =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Magazine editor
* science fiction writer
* literary agent
* actor
}}
}}

'''Forrest James Ackerman'''<ref name=guardian/> (November 24, 1916 – December 4, 2008) was an American magazine editor; [[science fiction authors|science fiction writer]], and literary agent; a founder of [[science fiction fandom]]; a leading expert on science fiction, horror, and fantasy films;<ref>[[Robert Bloch]]. "Another Part of the Forrest" in Bloch's ''Out of My Head''. Cambridge MA: NESFA Press, 198, 191-93</ref> a prominent advocate of the [[Esperanto]] language; and one of the world's most avid collectors of genre books and film memorabilia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |title=Forrest J Ackerman, writer-editor who coined 'sci-fi,' dies at 92 |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-ackerman6-2008dec06-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624230520/http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-ackerman6-2008dec06-story.html |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |access-date=April 21, 2019 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 6, 2008 }}</ref> He was based in [[Los Angeles]], California.

As a literary agent, he represented such science fiction authors as [[Ray Bradbury]], [[Isaac Asimov]], [[A. E. van Vogt]], [[Curt Siodmak]], and [[L. Ron Hubbard]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Corliss|first=Richard|date=December 6, 2008|title=Sci-Fi's No. 1 Fanboy, Forrest J Ackerman, Dies at 92|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1865977,00.html |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232208/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1865977,00.html|archive-date=October 27, 2017 |access-date=November 8, 2015 |via=content.time.com}}</ref> For more than 70 years, he was one of science fiction's staunchest spokesmen and promoters. He was the founding editor and principal writer of the American magazine ''[[Famous Monsters of Filmland]]'', published by [[Warren Publishing]]. He co-created the character [[Vampirella]], based on the 1968 [[Jane Fonda]] film ''[[Barbarella (film)|Barbarella]]''.<ref name=arndt>{{cite web | last = Arndt | first = Richard J. | url = http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/The%20Warren%20Magazines%20Index%20Only.htm | title = The Warren Magazines | date = September 22, 2008 | access-date = January 27, 2013 | archive-date = March 14, 2012 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120314204512/http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/The%20Warren%20Magazines%20Index%20Only.htm }} Additional [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717230137/http://www.vogworld.com/Richard%20Arndt/The%20Warren%20Magazines.htm Webcitation archive].</ref>

Ackerman also acted in films from the 1950s into the 21st century. He appears in several documentaries related to this period in popular culture, like ''Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092060/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324125626/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092060/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_5 |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> (directed by Michael R. MacDonald<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael R. MacDonald |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531854/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015230142/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531854/ |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> and written by Ian Johnston<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ian Johnston |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1113278/?ref_=tt_ov_wr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015230142/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1113278/?ref_=tt_ov_wr |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb}}</ref>), which premiered at the Egyptian Theatre in March 2009, during the Forrest J Ackerman tribute; ''The Ackermonster Chronicles!''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ackermonster Chronicles! |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2180547/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211202427/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2180547/ |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> (a 2012 documentary about Ackerman<ref>{{Cite web |title=The AckerMonster Chronicles! (2012) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2180547/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211202427/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2180547/ |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> by writer and filmmaker [[Jason V. Brock]]); and ''Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1531642/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210125305/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1531642/ |archive-date=February 10, 2017 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> about late author [[Charles Beaumont]], a former client of The Ackerman Agency.<ref>French, Lawrence [http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2010/03/richard-matheson-remembers-his-good-friend-charles-beaumont/ "Richard Matheson remembers his good friend Charles Beaumont"] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924045224/http://cinefantastiqueonline.com/2010/03/richard-matheson-remembers-his-good-friend-charles-beaumont/ |date=September 24, 2017 }}), Cinefantastiqueonline.com, March 24, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2012.</ref>

Also called "Forry",<ref name="WarrenCompanion">[https://books.google.com/books?id=4Ofd-XudNAcC&dq=4sj+ackerman&pg=PA10 The Warren Companion: The Definitive Compendium to the Great Comics of Warren Publishing], by David A. Roach and Jon B. Cooke; published 2001 by TwoMorrows Publishing</ref> "Uncle Forry", "The Ackermonster",<ref name="CluteIndependent">[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/forrest-j-ackerman-science-fiction-magazine-editor-and-collector-of-movie-memorabilia-1218139.html Forrest J. Ackerman: Science-fiction magazine editor and collector of movie memorabilia] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226214828/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/forrest-j-ackerman-science-fiction-magazine-editor-and-collector-of-movie-memorabilia-1218139.html |date=February 26, 2018 }}), by [[John Clute]], in ''[[The Independent]]''; published December 31, 2008; retrieved February 6, 2018</ref> "Dr. Acula", "Forjak",<ref name=CluteIndependent/> "4e",<ref name=CluteIndependent/> and "4SJ",<ref name=WarrenCompanion/> Ackerman was central to the formation, organization, and spread of science fiction fandom and a key figure in the wider cultural perception of science fiction as a literary, art, and film genre. Famous for his [[word play]] and [[neologism]]s, he coined the genre nickname "sci-fi".<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2008 |title=Forrest J Ackerman, 92; Coined the Term 'Sci-Fi' |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120602021.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223210205/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120602021.html |archive-date=December 23, 2015 |access-date=November 8, 2015 |via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> In 1953, he was voted "#1 Fan Personality" by the members of the [[World Science Fiction Society]], a unique [[Hugo Award]] never granted to anyone else.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1953 Hugo Awards |url=http://www.thehugoawards.org/?page_id=66 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094546/http://www.thehugoawards.org/?page_id=66 |archive-date=March 2, 2009 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |website=[[Hugo Awards]]| date=July 26, 2007 }}</ref>

He was also among the first and most outspoken advocates of [[Esperanto]] in the science fiction community.<ref name=time/><ref name="4forry.best.vwh.net">[http://4forry.best.vwh.net/esper.htm 4forry.best.vwh.net] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070721144845/http://4forry.best.vwh.net/esper.htm |date=July 21, 2007 }})</ref>

==Early years==
Ackerman was born '''Forrest James Ackerman''' (though he would refer to himself from the early 1930s on as "Forrest J Ackerman" with no period after the middle initial), on November 24, 1916,<ref name="CBGXtra">[http://cbgxtra.com/comics-news-and-notes/todays-comics-guide-november-24-2011 "Today's Comics Guide: November 24, 2011: Today's Birthdays"]({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017200217/http://www.cbgxtra.com/comics-news-and-notes/todays-comics-guide-november-24-2011 |date=October 17, 2015 }}). [[CBGXtra]]. November 24, 2011</ref> in [[Los Angeles]], to Carroll Cridland (née Wyman; 1883–1977) and William Schilling Ackerman (1892–1951).<ref name="vampire">{{Cite web |title=Forrest James Ackerman (1916–present) |url=http://www.everythingvampire.zoomshare.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125234236/http://www.everythingvampire.zoomshare.com/ |archive-date=January 25, 2009 |access-date=December 9, 2008 |publisher=Everythingvampire}}</ref>

His father, William, chief statistician and assistant to the vice-president in charge of transportation for the [[Associated Oil Company]]<ref>''Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature'', vol. 2, R. Reginald, 1979, p. 789</ref> was from New York and his mother (the daughter of architect [[George Wyman]]) was from Ohio; she was nine years older than her husband.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Ackerman attended the [[University of California, Berkeley]], during the 1934–1935 academic year; thereafter, he worked as a film [[projectionist]] and at odd jobs with fan friends. On August 15, 1942, he enlisted in the [[U.S. Army]],<ref name=vampire/><ref>U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938–1946</ref> where he rose to the rank of [[staff sergeant]] before being honorably discharged in 1945. He passed his entire time in service at [[Fort MacArthur]] in the [[San Pedro, Los Angeles|San Pedro]] neighborhood of Los Angeles, ultimately serving as editor of the base newspaper.

==Career and fandom==
[[File:MorojoAND4SJ.jpg|thumb|right|Ackerman and [[Morojo]] at the 1st Worldcon (1939, NYC), in the "futuristicostumes" she created for them]]

Ackerman saw his first "imagi-movie" in 1922 (''[[One Glorious Day]]''),<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Glorious Day (1922) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0013459 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729101621/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0013459/ |archive-date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=IMDb.com}}</ref> purchased his first [[science fiction magazine]], ''[[Amazing Stories]]'', in 1926, created the Boys' Scientifiction Club in 1930 ("girl-fans were as rare as unicorn's horns in those days"). He contributed to the first [[science fiction fanzine]], ''[[The Time Traveller (fanzine)|The Time Traveler]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Science Fiction |url=http://ufdcweb1.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00077088/00001/13j |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015230143/http://ufdcweb1.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00077088/00001/13j |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=Ufdcweb1.uflib.ufl.edu}}</ref> He was an early member of the [[Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society]] and remained active in it for many decades.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

[[File:Forrest J. Ackerman, collector of movie memorabilia, with fan..jpg|thumb|left|Letting a fan try on the cape worn by [[Bela Lugosi]] in ''[[Plan 9 from Outer Space]]'' (1957, directed by [[Ed Wood]]) ]]

He attended the [[1st World Science Fiction Convention]] in 1939, where he wore the first "futuristicostume"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mimosa 29, pages 55-59. "Caravan to the Stars" by Dave Kyle |url=http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m29/kyle.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040501201447/http://www.jophan.org/mimosa/m29/kyle.htm |archive-date=May 1, 2004 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=Jophan.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2009 |title=NYcon 1 - 1939 WorldCon - W39-030 |url=http://fanac.org/worldcon/NYcon/w39-030.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175652/http://fanac.org/worldcon/NYcon/w39-030.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |publisher=Fanac.org}}</ref> (designed and created by his girlfriend, Myrtle R Douglas, better known as [[Morojo]]), which sparked decades of fan costuming thereafter, the latest incarnation of which is [[cosplay]]. He attended every [[Worldcon]] but two thereafter during his lifetime.

In 1994, the [[International Costumers' Guild]] (ICG) presented a special award to Ackerman at Conadian, the [[52nd World Science Fiction Convention|52nd Worldcon]], recognizing him as the "Father of Convention Costuming" for wearing his "futuristicostume" at the 1st Worldcon.<ref name=icg201609>{{cite web | title=ICG Special Awards and Recognition | url=http://costume.org/wp/special-awards-recognition | website=costume.org | date=May 27, 2016 | publisher=[[International Costumers' Guild]] (ICG) | access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref>

Ackerman invited [[Ray Bradbury]] to attend the Los Angeles Chapter of the Science Fiction League, then meeting weekly at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles. The club changed its name to the [[Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society]] during the period it was meeting at the restaurant. Among the writers frequenting the club were [[Robert A. Heinlein]], [[Emil Petaja]], [[Fredric Brown]], [[Henry Kuttner]], [[Leigh Brackett]], and [[Jack Williamson]]. Bradbury often attended meetings with his friend [[Ray Harryhausen]]; the two Rays had been introduced to each other by Ackerman. With $90 from Ackerman and Morojo, Bradbury launched a fanzine, ''[[Futuria Fantasia]]'', in 1939, which ran for four issues.

Ackerman was an early member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Science Fiction League and became so active in and important to the club that in essence he ran it, including (after the name change) the [[Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society]], a prominent regional fan organization, as well as the [[National Fantasy Fan Federation]] (N3F). Together with Morojo, he edited and produced ''Imagination!'', later renamed ''[[Voice of the Imagi-Nation]]'' (which in 1996 would be awarded the [[Hugo Award for Best Fanzine#Retro Hugos|Retro Hugo for Best Fanzine of 1946]], and in 2014 for 1939), which was nominally the club fanzine for the LASFS.

In the decades that followed, Ackerman amassed an extremely large and complete collection of science fiction, [[fantasy]], and [[horror film]] memorabilia, which, until 2002, he maintained in an 18-room home and museum known as the "Son of Ackermansion". (The original Ackermansion where he lived from the early 1950s until the mid-1970s was at 915 S. Sherbourne Drive in Los Angeles; the site is now an apartment building.) This second house, in the [[Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California|Los Feliz]] district of Los Angeles, contained some 300,000 books and pieces of film and science-fiction memorabilia.

From 1951 to 2002, Ackerman entertained some 50,000 fans at open houses – including, on one such evening, a group of 186 fans and professionals that included astronaut [[Buzz Aldrin]]. Ackerman was a board member of the [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]] [[Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame]] (now [[Museum of Pop Culture]]), where many items of his collection are now displayed.

He knew many of the writers of science fiction in the first half of the twentieth century. As a literary agent, he represented some 200 writers, and he served as agent of record for many long-lost authors, thereby allowing their work to be reprinted in anthologies. He was [[Ed Wood]]'s "illiterary" agent.<ref>[http://www.dragoncon.org/people/ackermf.html] ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011211125005/http://www.dragoncon.org/people/ackermf.html|date=December 11, 2001}})</ref> Ackerman was credited with nurturing and even inspiring the careers of several early contemporaries<ref name="Interview with Forrest J Ackerman on Geekson">{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Peter |year=2006 |title=Interview with Forrest J Ackerman |url=http://www.geekson.com/archives/archivedepisodes/2006/episode081808.htm |publisher=Geekson.com}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Retrieved August 18, 2006.</ref> like Ray Bradbury, [[Ray Harryhausen]], [[Charles Beaumont]], [[Marion Zimmer Bradley]], and [[L. Ron Hubbard]].<ref name=time/> He kept all of the stories submitted to his magazine, even the ones he rejected; [[Stephen King]] has stated that Ackerman showed up to a King book signing with a copy of a story King had submitted for publication when he was 11.<ref>King, Stephen. ''[[On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft]]''. Scribner 2000; {{ISBN|978-1-4391-9363-1}}, pg. 35</ref>

Ackerman had 50 stories published, including collaborations with [[A. E. van Vogt]], [[George Henry Weiss|Francis Flagg]], [[Robert A. W. Lowndes]], [[Marion Zimmer Bradley]], [[Donald A. Wollheim|Donald Wollheim]] and [[C. L. Moore|Catherine Moore]], and the world's shortest – one letter of the alphabet. His stories have been translated into six languages. Ackerman named the comic-book character [[Vampirella]] and wrote the origin story for the comic.

He also authored several [[lesbian]] stories under the name "Laurajean Ermayne" for ''[[Vice Versa (magazine)|Vice Versa]]'' and provided publishing assistance in the early days of the [[Daughters of Bilitis]].<ref name="latimesobit">{{Cite news |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |date=December 6, 2008 |title=Forrest J Ackerman, writer-editor who coined 'sci-fi,' dies at 92 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ackerman6-2008dec06,0,6853867,full.story |url-status=dead |access-date=December 13, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206093129/http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ackerman6-2008dec06,0,6853867,full.story |archive-date=February 6, 2010}}</ref> He was dubbed an "honorary lesbian" at a DOB party.<ref>[[Elise Matthesen|Matthesen, Elise]]. "Vampires and Aliens." ''Lavender Lifestyles'', November 24, 1995. [http://www.tc.umn.edu/~d-lena/Vampires%20and%20Aliens.html Online copy] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210015521/http://www.tc.umn.edu/~d-lena/Vampires%20and%20Aliens.html |date=December 10, 2008 }})</ref><ref name="brock24">{{Cite book |last=Brock |first=Jason V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9g0WBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA24 |title=Disorders of Magnitude: A Survey of Dark Fantasy |date=July 17, 2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-3525-0 |location=Plymouth |page=24 |language=en}}</ref> Ackerman's involvement with lesbian fiction led to him becoming the first heterosexual guest of honor at [[Gaylaxicon]]. It also caused him to be found in violation of the [[Comstock laws]] for sending "obscene materials" to another man through the mail while both of them were pretending to be lesbians.<ref name="brock24" />

Through his magazine, [[Famous Monsters of Filmland]] (1958–1983), Ackerman introduced the history of the science fiction, fantasy, and horror film genres to a generation of young readers.<ref name=upi/> He also contributed to film magazines from all around the world, including the Spanish-language ''[[La Cosa: Cine Fantástico]]'' magazine from [[Argentina]], 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]]'', 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-movie]]s", Ackerman appeared in more than 210 films, including parts in many monster movies and [[science fiction film]]s (''[[Dracula vs. Frankenstein]]'', ''[[The Howling (film)|The Howling]]'', ''[[The Aftermath (1982 film)|The Aftermath]]'', ''[[Scalps (1983 film)|Scalps]]'', ''[[Return of the Living Dead Part II]]'', ''[[Innocent Blood (film)|Innocent Blood]]''), more traditional "imagi-movies" (''[[The Time Travelers (1964 film)|The Time Travelers]]'', ''[[Future War]]''), spoofs and comedies (''[[Amazon Women on the Moon]]'', ''[[The Wizard of Speed and Time]]'', ''[[Curse of the Queerwolf]]'', ''[[Transylvania Twist]]'', ''[[Hard to Die]]'', ''[[Nudist Colony of the Dead]]'', ''[[Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold]]'') and at least one major music video (''[[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|Michael Jackson's Thriller]]''). His [[Bacon number]] 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]]''. The record was reissued on CD in 2005.

Ackerman appears as a character in ''The Vampire Affair'' by [[David McDaniel]] (a novel in the ''[[The Man from U.N.C.L.E.|Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]'' series), and [[Philip José Farmer]]'s novel ''[[Image of the Beast (novel)|Image of the Beast]]'', first published as the short story "Blown" in ''[[Screw (magazine)|Screw]]'' magazine by [[Al Goldstein]].

A character based on Ackerman and an analog to the Ackermansion appears in the collaborative novel ''[[Fallen Angels (science fiction novel)|Fallen Angels]]'' written jointly by [[Larry Niven]], [[Jerry Pournelle]], and [[Michael F. Flynn]].

"Eccar the Man" is mentioned in ''[[The Flying Sorcerers]]'', a novel jointly written by Niven and [[David Gerrold]], which features a number of characters based on notables from the science fiction community.

[[File:Forrest J Ackerman at the Ackermansion.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Forrest J Ackerman at the Ackermansion]]

He appeared on the intro track of Ohio [[horror punk]] music group Manimals' 1999 album ''Horrorcore''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Featured Content on Myspace |url=https://www.myspace.com/manimals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015230143/https://myspace.com/manimals |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015 |website=Myspace}}</ref>

In 2001, Ackerman played the part of an old wax museum caretaker in the camp comedy film ''[[The Double-D Avenger]]'' directed by [[William Winckler]] and starring [[Russ Meyer]] luminaries [[Kitten Natividad]], [[Haji (actress)|Haji]], 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's monster|Frankenstein]] 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]] in the 2006 documentary film ''Finding the Future''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finding the Future |url=http://www.findingthefuture.com/ |website=www.findingthefuture.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209112015/http://www.findingthefuture.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 9, 2006}}</ref>

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]]'', the character of the corrupt policeman Bobby Monday (played by [[Michael Shannon]]) repeatedly uses the alias "Forrest J Ackerman".

In 2013, the science fiction author [[Jason V Brock]] 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alden Lorraine Ackerman: Private First Class from California, World War II Casualty |url=https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=18276 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202045101/https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=18276 |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=www.honorstates.org}}</ref>

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 (character)|Peter Pan]]'', his favorite fantasy.<ref name=time/> 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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}

Ackerman was fluent in the [[international auxiliary language|international language]] [[Esperanto]], and claimed to have walked down [[Hollywood Boulevard]] arm-in-arm with [[Leo G. Carroll]] singing ''[[La Espero]]'', the hymn of Esperanto.<ref name="4forry.best.vwh.net" />

Ackerman also received a [[diploma]] from [[Sequoia University]], an [[educational accreditation|unaccredited]] [[higher education]] institution in Los Angeles, California, in April 1969, which named him a Fellow of the Sequoia Research Institute.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forrest J Ackerman Diploma|url=https://www.icollector.com/Forrest-J-Ackerman-Diploma_i11311921 |website=icollector.com|access-date=August 23, 2019}}</ref>

Ackerman was an atheist at age 15,<ref>"My well-meaning parents subjected me to 7 different Sunday Schools before I finally rebelled." Christopher M. O'Brien, ''The Forrest J Ackerman Oeuvre: A Comprehensive Catalog of the Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Screenplays, Film Appearances, Speeches and Other Works, with a Concise Biography'' (Jefferson NC: McFarland, 2012), 17. {{ISBN|9780786449842}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insight &#124; THE ACKERMAN ENIGMA: The Strange Case of Forrest J. Ackerman by Paul Davids &#124; unknowncountry |url=https://www.unknowncountry.com/insight/ackerman-enigma-strange-case-forrest-j-ackerman-paul-davids |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220081816/http://www.unknowncountry.com/insight/ackerman-enigma-strange-case-forrest-j-ackerman-paul-davids |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=April 21, 2019 |website=www.unknowncountry.com}}</ref>

In 2018, Vincent Price biographer Lucy Chase Williams wrote that Ackerman sexually harassed her and other women over the course of decades despite "written and verbal demands to cease", alleging that he "forced wet kisses" on her, groped her, and mailed her pornography and personal fantasies in which he wanted to "hurt and abuse" her.<ref name="schelly">{{cite book |first=Bill |last=Schelly |date=2019 |title=James Warren, Empire of Monsters |location=Seattle, Washington |publisher=Fantagraphics Books |pages=339–340 |isbn=9781683961475}}</ref>

==Death==
In 2003, Ackerman said, "I aim at hitting 100 and becoming the [[George Burns]] of science fiction". His health, however, had been failing. He had a major heart attack in 1966 and wore a pacemaker thereafter.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}  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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2008 |title=Forrest J Ackerman is slipping away |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38960 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206042419/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/38960 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |access-date=November 7, 2008 |website=Aint It Cool News}}</ref>

While there were several premature reports of his death in the month prior,<ref>these reports originated from a news article on the British Fantasy Society website; a correction was subsequently made. [http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/news British Fantasy Society website] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120213134/http://www.britishfantasysociety.org/news/ |date=November 20, 2008 }})</ref> Ackerman died a minute before midnight on December 4, 2008, at the age of 92.<ref name="guardian">{{Cite news |last=Carlson |first=Michael |date=December 7, 2008 |title=Forrest J Ackerman |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/dec/07/forrest-ackerman-science-fiction-obituary |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905072921/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/dec/07/forrest-ackerman-science-fiction-obituary |archive-date=September 5, 2013}}</ref><ref name="time">{{Cite magazine |last=Corliss |first=Richard |date=December 6, 2008 |title=Sci-Fi's No. 1 Fanboy, Forrest J Ackerman, Dies at 92 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1864854,00.html?imw=Y |url-status=dead |access-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207232437/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1864854,00.html?imw=Y |archive-date=December 7, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="upi">{{Cite news |date=December 6, 2008 |title=Sci-fi superfan Ackerman dies at 92 |work=[[United Press International]] |url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/12/06/Sci-fi_superfan_Ackerman_dies_at_92/UPI-38661228584032/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524133652/http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/12/06/Sci-fi_superfan_Ackerman_dies_at_92/UPI-38661228584032/ |archive-date=May 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>"Forry Ackerman: A Loyal and Staunch Friend". Comic-Con Souvenir Book #40 p.&nbsp;215 (2009)C</ref><ref name="ap">{{Cite news |date=December 5, 2008 |title=Sci-fi's grand old man, Forrest J. Ackerman, dies |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/06/entertainment/main4651832.shtml?source=RSSattr=Entertainment_4651832 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208061748/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/06/entertainment/main4651832.shtml?source=RSSattr=Entertainment_4651832 |archive-date=December 8, 2008}}</ref> 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]].  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]]'s ring from ''[[Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein]]'' and [[Lon Chaney]]'s teeth and top hat from ''[[London After Midnight (film)|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]]".{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}  His personal papers—books, correspondence, fan mail, and more—went to the Special Collections Research Center at [[Syracuse University]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hatem |first1=Cristina |title=Forrest J Ackerman Papers Now Open for Research |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2023/07/12/forrest-j-ackerman-papers-now-open-for-research/ |access-date=July 21, 2023 |work=[[Syracuse University News]] |date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> (he had made prior donations of material there, as well as to the [[University of Wyoming]], [[Eastern New Mexico University]], and the [[University of California]]).

Ackerman is interred at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)]] with his wife. His plaque simply reads, "Sci-Fi Was My High".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=9g0WBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sci-Fi+Was+My+High%22+%22forest+lawn%22+ackerman&pg=PA28 ''Disorders of Magnitude''], p. 28</ref>

==Legacy==
A 2013 rebroadcast of the PBS program ''Visiting ... with [[Huell Howser]]'', 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forrest J Ackerman Square Dedicated |date=June 27, 2025 |url=https://www.lfia.org/forrest-j-ackerman-square-dedicated/ |publisher=Los Feliz Improvement Association |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>

==Awards==
* [[Hugo Award]]s
** [[Discontinued Hugo Awards|Number 1 Fan Personality]], 1953<ref>{{cite web |title=1953 Hugo Awards |date=July 26, 2007 |url=https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/1953-hugo-awards/ |publisher=Hugo Award |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>
** [[Hugo Award for Best Fanzine#Retro Hugos|Retro Hugo for Best Fanzine]], 1939 (awarded 2014), for ''Imagination!''<ref>{{cite web |title=1946 Retro-Hugo Awards |date=July 26, 2007 |url=https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/1946-retro-hugo-awards/ |publisher=The Hugo Award |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>
** Retro Hugo for Best Fanzine, 1946 (awarded 2016) for ''[[Voice of the Imagi-Nation!]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=1939 Retro-Hugo Awards |date=April 18, 2014 |url=https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/1939-retro-hugo-awards/ |publisher=The Hugo Award |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>
* [[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<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chastain |first1=George |title=The Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards and the Monster Kid Hall of Fame |url=https://egorschamber.com/monsterkidhalloffame/ |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>
* [[Bram Stoker Award]] for Lifetime Achievement, 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=Lifetime Achievement Award |url=https://www.thebramstokerawards.com/lifetime-achievement-award/lifetime-achievement-award-2/ |publisher=Bram Stoker Awards |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>
* [[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<ref>{{cite web |title=Past G-Fest Conventions |url=https://www.g-festcon.com/past-gfests |publisher=G-Fest |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref>
* [[World Fantasy Award]] for Lifetime Achievement, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |last=World Fantasy Convention |year=2010 |title=Award Winners and Nominees |url=http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201074405/http://worldfantasy.org/awards/awardslist.html |archive-date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Inkpot Award]], 1974<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2012 |title=Inkpot Award |url=https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129155249/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot |archive-date=January 29, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2020 |website=Comic-Con International: San Diego}}</ref>

==Writing==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=50%}}

===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. {{ISBN|1-888054-93-X}}. 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.
{{col-break|width=20%}}
{{col-break|width=30%}}

===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"
{{col-end}}

== See also ==
* {{Portal-inline|Biography}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Additional biographies==
* {{IMDb name|9969|Forrest J Ackerman}}
* {{ISFDB name|name=Forrest J. Ackerman}}
* {{Cite web |title=SFWA Obituary |url=http://sfwa.org/news/2008/fackerman.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204125847/http://sfwa.org/news/2008/fackerman.htm |archive-date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=August 13, 2011 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20011213122037/http://4forry.best.vwh.net/bio.htm 4e's Foyer: biography]
* [http://www.sfsite.com/gary/acke01.htm SFSite: Gary Westfahl's Biographical Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.filmsinreview.com/2008/11/23/camp-david-november-2008/ Article on Ackerman's persona and life] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204181216/http://www.filmsinreview.com/2008/11/23/camp-david-november-2008/ |date=February 4, 2009 }}

==External links==
{{wikisource|works=or}}
* [http://www.geekson.com/archives/archiveepisodes/2006/episode081806.htm Audio interview with Forrest J Ackerman]
* [http://maxwelldemille.com/time-machine.asp Forrest J. Ackerman appears onstage at the 40th anniversary of "The Time Machine"]
* [https://library.syr.edu/digital/guides/a/ackerman_fj.htm Forrest J Ackerman Papers], Special Collections Research Center, [[Syracuse University]]
* [https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv381019 Forrest J Ackerman Papers] at the [[American Heritage Center]]
* [http://www.bizarremag.com/entertainment/heroes/7569/forrest_ackerman.html Interview and shoot with Forrest J Ackerman, ''Bizarre Magazine''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227003529/http://www.bizarremag.com/entertainment/heroes/7569/forrest_ackerman.html |date=February 27, 2009 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080123153250/http://www.roadhousefilms.ca/productions.php?cid=6 Roadhouse Film's Famous Monster documentary page]
* [http://nebulasf.atspace.com/ackerman.htm Scientifilm Previews by Forrest J Ackerman]
* [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedailymirror/2008/12/voices----forre.html?cid=142342488#comments "The Unfortunate Selling of Treasures," ''L.A. Times'']
* {{Gutenberg author |id=33388| name=Forrest J. Ackerman}}
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=Forrest James Ackerman}}
* {{Librivox author |id=1678}}

{{Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement}}
{{Inkpot Award 1970s}}
{{World Fantasy Award Life Achievement}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ackerman, Forrest J.}}
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