- He has an uncredited cameo in The Howling (1981) as a bookstore customer looking at "Famous Monsters of Filmland" (a magazine he founded). The bookstore owner growls at him: "Hey! You gonna buy anything?".
- He put up a flyer in a Los Angeles bookstore, announcing a science-fiction club he was starting. A teenager named Ray Bradbury attended the club meetings. Later, Ackerman helped Bradbury start his own sci-fi magazine, "Futuria Fantasia". He also helped pay for a trip to New York that helped launch Bradbury's writing career.
- Famous for wordplay, he is credited with being the first to abbreviate science fiction to "sci-fi";
- His main claim to fame was as the creator and editor of the groundbreaking magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland" (aka "Famous Monsters" or just "FM") started in 1958. Many highly successful filmmakers who emerged in the 1970s and 80s were former readers who cite the magazine for developing their interest in film.
- Received a special Hugo award as the #1 Fan Personality in 1953. As of 2021, he is the only one to receive this special award.
- His collection at one time included 50,000 books, thousands of science-fiction magazines, and the cape worn by Bela Lugosi in Dracula (1931).
- Long-time science-fiction fan, writer, editor, and agent.
- As editor of the magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland", he was an inspiration to horror author Stephen King. King wrote a letter to Ackerman when he was a teenager, and Ackerman had it framed and put on display in his "Ackermansion".
- Forced by health and lack of reimbursement from a winning lawsuit, Ackerman held a huge yard sale in September, 2002, that included thousands of pieces of science fiction movie memorabilia. This was part of the process of selling his home, the Ackermansion, and liquidating the bulk of his 300,000-piece collection. Ackerman had tried to find a museum to take the collection without success. Optimistically, he settled in a nearby smaller home with plans to continue to allow tours of the remains of his treasures.
- He was co-editor, with Hank Stine (aka Jean Stine), of the 1994 book "Reel Future," an anthology of 16 stories that were turned into science fiction/horror films.
- Described by his friends, including Stephen King, as the World's Greatest Science Fiction Fan.
- He died in December 2008, the year that marked the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first issue of "Famous Monsters of Filmland," and less than two weeks after celebrating his 92nd birthday.
- He calls his home the "Ackermansion" and a 1997 collection of SF stories he edited was the "Ackermanthology!".
- He was (and remains) a member of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, Inc. It was there that he started a life long friendship with writer Ray Bradbury and special effects creator Ray Harryhausen. He attended the LASFS' 70th anniversary meeting in October 2004.
- Noted for his large collection of science-fiction memorabilia.
- As a literary agent, he represented Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and many other science-fiction writers.
- He once said he fell in love with science fiction when he was nine years old. He saw a magazine called "Amazing Stories", and kept that copy for the rest of his life.
- Owns a large collection of SF/horror books and film memorabilia. For information about visits see his web site. (1998)
- Proposed an animated film of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings", but Tolkien rejected the submitted storyline in 1958.
- Enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army on 15 August 1942 during World War II. He spent his entire time in the Army at Fort MacArthur, California. He was the editor of the base newspaper and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
- It had long believed that the ring Boris Karloff wore in The Mummy (1932) has been in the possession of Forrest J. Ackerman for many decades, however this was, once and for all, debunked in September of 2017, when a video surfaced comparing both rings in extreme close-up: Ackerman's ring was not even a close match for Karloff's. It was auctioned off in May of 2009 as "Ackerman's Mummy Ring", along with photos of Karloff wearing his, but the auctioneer's website did disclaim that it wasn't the original one worn by Boris Karloff.
- Cousin of actress Lonie Blackman.
- Wife Wendayne suffered a terrible head injury as a result of a 'smash and grab' in Naples, Italy, while she and Forrest were sitting in their car.
- Although he seldom mentioned it, his favorite fantasy work was 'Peter Pan', which is why he chose the pseudonym 'Wendayne' for his wife.
- Was eager to obtain "the final autograph" of horror and sci-fi stars, and would often ask their wives to make sure to obtain it as the movie star lay in their death bed.
- Biography/bibliography in: "Contemporary Authors". New Revision Series, Volume 155, pages 1-5. Farmington Hills, Michigan, 2007.
- He had a stepson, Michael Porjes, who was born on January 17, 1941 in Palestine (the place is now in Israel). Michael was married with three children. He died in July 2008 at age 67, just 5 months before Forrest.
- Wife Wendayne died of kidney failure in 1990, after refusing to have any more dialysis treatment.
- He met his wife, Mathilde Wahrman (1912-1990), when she worked as a clerk in the book section of the May Company in Los Angeles. It was her first job upon arriving from Germany. He nicknamed her "Wendayne" and always referred to her thereafter as "Wendy".
- The Forrest J Ackerman Estate Auction was held April 30-May 1, 2009 and organized by Profiles In History.
- His all-time favorite movie was Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" (1927). His magazine, "Famous Monsters of Filmland" contained many articles and tantalizing photos from the film. At that time, an extremely small percentage of his readers ever had the opportunity to actually see the film. It wasn't until the 1980s that the film became available on home video from various bargain labels. Also, in 1984, a shortened and tinted version with a rock soundtrack was released to theaters. His home, the "Ackermansion," contained a full-sized replica of the robot costume worn in the film by Brigitte Helm. Sadly, Ackerman passed away in December 2008, so he never got to see the 2010 release of the restored version that contained footage that had been lost for decades.
- In 2014, Forrest J. Ackerman for "Famous Monsters", Behind the Screams induction into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame".
- He is responsible for having the popular European (German) "Perry Rhodan" series of science fiction books translated into English for publication in the U.S. His German born wife, Wendayne, did many of the translations.
- He suffered a major heart attack in 1966. His magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland" continued by reprinting articles from past issues until he recovered enough to return to work. He reportedly had a pacemaker implanted. He would live another 42 years before declining health caused his heart to finally fail on December 4, 2008 at he age of 92.
- In 2017, "Famous Monsters", Behind the Screams was induction into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame".
- Was very fond of embellishing the past with stories that he crafted to put himself in the spotlight and sound more important than he really was. Hence, he liked to claim that he owned authentic movie props when, more often than not, they were copies, like his Dracula and Mummy rings, which have been proven to be inauthentic.
- In 2014, Forrest J. Ackerman for "Famous Monsters", Behind the Screams induction into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame".
In 2017, "Famous Monsters", Behind the Screams induction into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame". - He was a big supporter of Esperanto, an international "constructed language.".
- He attended the University of California (Berkeley) for only one school year (1934-1935).
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