'Creature' star Chapman dies at 79

Published: Feb. 24, 2008 at 3:17 PM

HONOLULU, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Ben Chapman, the actor who played the title character in "Creature from the Black Lagoon," has died of congestive heart failure in Hawaii at the age of 79.

The Los Angeles Times said Sunday while Chapman did not utter a single world in the popular 1954 cult film, his role as the scaly monster earned him a spot in Hollywood history.

Beyond his role in "Creature," Chapman never quite made it as an actor in Hollywood, nabbing smaller roles in such movies as "Ma and Pa Kettle in Waikiki."

In a 2003 interview, Chapman even downplayed his involvement in the signature horror film, saying his size rather than his acting skills earned him the part.

"They were looking for an imposing creature, and at 6-feet-5, I filled the bill," said Chapman, who died last Thursday in Honolulu.

The Times said Chapman is survived by his longtime companion, Merrilee Kazarian, three children and a sister.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
UPI NewsTrack Business (5 min)
Rev. Jackson calls for foreclosure hiatus (8 min)
New tool found for autoimmune diseases (33 min)
Markets rise as Dubai worries wane
Canadians plan lower Christmas spending
Debts mount as global concern
Reporters document Antarctica changes
fark
South Africa announces new policy of treating all HIV-positive babies. As opposed to their previous...
The next time you get stuck in a toilet, make sure you try the Handel
"Russia has fallen behind the United States in the race to arm sea mammals"
A woman rejects your attempt to offer her a religious pamphlet in a bar parking lot at 2 AM. Do...
1996: Man accidentally runs down little old lady crossing the street. 2009: While crossing the street,...
ISS on possible collision path with space junk, too late to alter orbit. Potential impact 1:19 pm...