Forrest J. Ackerman, or Forry to most people that knew him, was a powerful and formative part of not only Hollywood’s early years but also to the burgeoning science fiction and fantasy literature market.  Mr. Ackerman passed away at the age of 92 yesterday.

His razor-sharp intellect, even up to the time of his death, gave us the term sci-fi, coined in 1954 while listening to the radio with his wife in the car.  His collection of horror, science fiction, and fantasy memorabilia and books, numbering in the tens of thousands, was one of the most complete anywhere.

The founder of Famous Monsters of Filmland carried the magazine for more than 49 years, a testament not only to its longevity and to his.  It is through his time there that he discovered Ray Bradbury, among other fledgling writers who have gone on to become amazing and prolific writers in their own right.

I won’t say much more excpet that he was an inspiration to me about how to stay afloat in the business.  Even during the lean times he never gave up that which he loved so well.  He was a veritable fountain of information for young writers and historians alike, and always took the time to talk and answer questions from anybody.

I only spoke to him once on the phone asking for some advice for my horror screenwriting book.  Even from that conversation (just 2 months ago) left my head spinning with more information than I could even digest.  The man was a dynamo with a photographic memory.  He will be missed.