Forrest J Ackerman gone from us

badgoodDeb · 12-05-2008, 06:02 PM

Just read that Forrest J Ackerman has left this world.

Greg Anos · 12-05-2008, 06:10 PM

Another S/F pioneer gone. Without his agency, there would have been no Cornwainer Smith stories...

badgoodDeb · 12-05-2008, 06:15 PM

Nice article detailing some of his contributions: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28073967/

BenG · 12-05-2008, 06:19 PM

Sad news. Forry was one of a kind.

flumbo · 12-05-2008, 10:17 PM

I wandered around his house (Ackermansion) in the Hollywood hills about 15 years ago looking at his collection of Sci-Fi memorabilia. The sheer quantity was amazing. Tens of thousands of books and magazines. Every possible piece of floor space had display cases. The walls were covered in book cover and magazine paintings (most featuring nude women), and movie posters. Shelves full of books, awards and movie props covered every wall including the staircases.

An old-school Cylon was propped up in his living room and his kitchen table held an impressive mountain of unopened mail. Walking down the stairs to his basement I turned around and noticed an Original Series Star Trek phaser just sitting on a shelf on the stairway.

People wandered around the maze of hallways and rooms (including his bedroom) on their own looking at things, always respectful that they were in someone's house and occasionally running into Forry as he wandered about as well. A couple times I saw him grab objects from shelves with a smile (as if he just discovered it) and look around for someone to show it to.

Even though he had people in his house every week, he loved playing the host. He didn’t tire of telling stories and wanted to show off his more obscure pieces. When he saw me trying to figure out what a sad looking stuffed creature was (sitting next to the robot from Metropolis) he grinned and showed me a frame from the original King Kong-- It was the remains of one of the dinosaur creatures from the movie.

Later after most people had cleared out he invited everyone to sit in his living room and he told stories about his days in the ancient history of Hollywood and quirks about his author friends. He was proud of being cast as "President of the Earth" and told us of his grandfather who was involved in designing the Bradbury building (which was featured in Bladerunner). When someone sat down on a wooden chair he told them it was 150 years old and was made for Lincoln. He laughed when they quickly jumped up-- "No, no. Sit. That's what chairs are for!"

Forrest Ackerman was a generous, kind and trusting man who had a passion for both sci-fi and people. A great man.

BenG · 02-03-2009, 11:55 AM

Can someone lend me a few thousand dollars?

Auction
-

12-05-2008, 06:02 PM	#1
badgoodDeb Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,501 Karma: 64095689 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harrisburg outskirts Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1	Forrest J Ackerman gone from us Just read that Forrest J Ackerman has left this world.

12-05-2008, 06:10 PM	#2
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,248 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	Another S/F pioneer gone. Without his agency, there would have been no Cornwainer Smith stories...

12-05-2008, 06:15 PM	#3
badgoodDeb Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,501 Karma: 64095689 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Harrisburg outskirts Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1	Nice article detailing some of his contributions: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28073967/

12-05-2008, 06:19 PM	#4
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Sad news. Forry was one of a kind.

12-05-2008, 10:17 PM	#5
flumbo I got nothin... Posts: 127 Karma: 302 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hawaii	I wandered around his house (Ackermansion) in the Hollywood hills about 15 years ago looking at his collection of Sci-Fi memorabilia. The sheer quantity was amazing. Tens of thousands of books and magazines. Every possible piece of floor space had display cases. The walls were covered in book cover and magazine paintings (most featuring nude women), and movie posters. Shelves full of books, awards and movie props covered every wall including the staircases. An old-school Cylon was propped up in his living room and his kitchen table held an impressive mountain of unopened mail. Walking down the stairs to his basement I turned around and noticed an Original Series Star Trek phaser just sitting on a shelf on the stairway. People wandered around the maze of hallways and rooms (including his bedroom) on their own looking at things, always respectful that they were in someone's house and occasionally running into Forry as he wandered about as well. A couple times I saw him grab objects from shelves with a smile (as if he just discovered it) and look around for someone to show it to. Even though he had people in his house every week, he loved playing the host. He didn’t tire of telling stories and wanted to show off his more obscure pieces. When he saw me trying to figure out what a sad looking stuffed creature was (sitting next to the robot from Metropolis) he grinned and showed me a frame from the original King Kong-- It was the remains of one of the dinosaur creatures from the movie. Later after most people had cleared out he invited everyone to sit in his living room and he told stories about his days in the ancient history of Hollywood and quirks about his author friends. He was proud of being cast as "President of the Earth" and told us of his grandfather who was involved in designing the Bradbury building (which was featured in Bladerunner). When someone sat down on a wooden chair he told them it was 150 years old and was made for Lincoln. He laughed when they quickly jumped up-- "No, no. Sit. That's what chairs are for!" Forrest Ackerman was a generous, kind and trusting man who had a passion for both sci-fi and people. A great man.

02-03-2009, 11:55 AM	#6
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Can someone lend me a few thousand dollars? Auction -

Advert

Advert