Forrest J. Ackerman Passes Away at 92

Forrest J. Ackerman passed away peacefully at his home (the "Ackermansion") in Los Angeles on Thursday. He was 92.

From the AP story:

His greatest achievement, however, was likely discovering Bradbury, author of the literary classics "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Martian Chronicles." Ackerman had placed a flyer in a Los Angeles bookstore for a science-fiction club he was founding and a teenage Bradbury showed up.

One of those kids who also showed up was my Dad, who was -- and still is -- a science fiction fan.

Alternately referred to as EEEE, Forrest DeJacques Erman, 4E, -- Ackerman was, from all the descriptions I've heard, a jack of all trades, whose legacy may not only be discovering Ray Bradbury, but also publishing Famous Monsters of Filmland for many years.

Dennis Cozzalio at his Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule blog has a wonderful tribute, complete with home movies of his visit to the Ackermansion.

Hat tip to Sean Kelly. Thanks, Sean. Scan of FM cover from Dennis Cozzalio's site.