February 21, 2008
The Creature is no more...
Sad news as Bloody-Disgusting.com have received a call that Ben Chapman, the last of the original Universal Monsters, has passed away today in Hawaii.
Chapman was best know as the actor that played
THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.
Talent scouts from Universal-International "discovered" Chapman upon his return from the Korean War, and for a year he became a U-I stock player--and, at six-foot-five, an ideal choice for the finny title role of The Gillman in "
Creature from the Black Lagoon".
This was reported on his official website :-
"
Ben Chapman passed away at 12:15 am Hawaii time on Thursday, February 21 at the VA hospital in Honolulu. His health began to deteriorate February 12 and he was admitted to the hospital on February 20. His life support was turned off Wednesday around noon and his pacemaker was turned off shortly before he died. He died peacefully with his wife, Merrilee, and son, Ben Chapman III, by his side. He was 79 years old at his death.
His body will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a church near the beach in Honolulu. More information will be distributed as it becomes known."
R.I.P. Ben. You will be missed.:(