Sad, sad news this time around, folks…one of the first BRMs of our era—Big Rubbery Monsters for those of you what don’t habla—passed away at just after 12:15 Hawaii time on Thursday, February 21 at the VA Hospital in Honolulu.

His name was Ben Chapman, and he played the original Creature From the Black Lagoon. Let’s not be too upset by this…he lived to be seventy-nine and by all accounts died peacefully with his wife and son near to hand. Frankly, out of all the ways there are to go, that’s got to be one of the best of them, so let’s all be grateful for that much.

No matter how you slice it, though, it’s sad news. It’s a downright tragedy, in point of fact, because to us horror buffs one of the great pioneers has been lost. This is probably how model rocketeers felt when Werner Von Braun died.

So, in honor of one of the great ones, let’s all take a moment, spare a thought for a bereaved widow and grieving son. If you’ve got a glass on hand, raise it in fond remembrance. And then celebrate the greats by heading over to Kwanzoo for a round of horror movie trivia.

This one’s for you, Ben Chapman. God keep you, sir.

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