I was away all weekend so missed the news that science fiction and horror fan and champion Forrest J Ackerman finally passed away. Its sad, but not surprising – as noted here several weeks ago Forry was in very poor health and declining rapidly, essentially trying to hold on long enough to say goodbye to his many friends, including the great Ray Bradbury, who has more than once commented that it was Forry’s help which got his enormously respected career launched. From his help to writers like Bradbury and Isaac Asimov to editing Famous Monsters of Filmland (which inspired several young lads who would grow up to be famous directors such as Steven Spielberg), giving Vampirella her name to supporting new writers and fan groups, as well as his huge collection of SF and horror memoribilia and various movie cameos, Forry seriously supported the fantastical genres which he had loved since his youth. He passed away last week aged 92; he will be much missed by many in the SF&F community. (via Time)
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