Hubbry Logo
Ben Chapman (actor)Ben Chapman (actor)Main
Open search
Ben Chapman (actor)
Community hub
Ben Chapman (actor)
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ben Chapman (actor)
Ben Chapman (actor)
Ben Chapman (actor)
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Benjamin F. Chapman Jr. (October 29, 1928 – February 21, 2008) was an American actor best known as playing the Gill-man on land in the 1954 horror film Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Born in Oakland, California, he spent much of his childhood in Tahiti and moved to San Francisco at age 12 or 13.[1]

A Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War he served with the 1st Marine Division.[2] He was believed to have earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for battle injuries.[1][3][4] However, after his death, the Marine Corps Times began an investigation of these claims based on the improbability of the claim of receiving Purple Hearts in the Chosin Reservoir campaign. Information from Marine Corps records, which were received a month after obituaries with the claims awards of valor and of serving at the Chosin Reservoir, reveal that Chapman did serve in Korea. The Marine Corps Times reports that, "according to Marine Corps officials and a copy of Chapman’s military Report of Separation," Chapman never received the Silver Star, Bronze Star or Purple Hearts.[5]

Before he played the Creature, he worked as a real estate executive.[1]

Gill Man

[edit]
Main article: Gill-man

Chapman was selected as the Gill Man due to his large size at 6'5".[1] His famous suit was made out of a foam-rubber body suit and a large-lipped headpiece.[1] He cited horror film predecessors Lon Chaney Sr. in The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in the 1920s, Bela Lugosi in Dracula and Boris Karloff in Frankenstein and The Mummy in the 1930s, and Lon Chaney Jr. in The Wolf Man in the 1940s as inspirations to his character.[1]

In a 1993 interview, Chapman explained that there were really two actors who played the Gill Man.[1] He was the creature on land; Ricou Browning was the actor in water sequences.[1] However, Chapman was the one who participated in Creature related events.[1] Chapman further relayed that the studio did not want the public to know that the Gill Man was a man in a suit [6] The suit, made of latex rubber, made it impossible for Chapman to sit down so during breaks from filming he would rest in a studio back lot lake to keep from overheating.[7]

Death

[edit]

Ben Chapman died shortly after midnight on February 21, 2008, at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.[1] His son Ben Chapman III stated that he had "... heart problems [and] breathing problems."[1] Other survivors include his wife of 25 years, self-proclaimed "Mrs Creature" Taylor Schlewitz; another son, Grant Chapman; stepdaughter Elyse Maree Raljevich; sister Moea (Harry) Baty; and "several" nieces and nephews.[1] Chapman's ashes are to be scattered off Waikiki.[1]

Ilene Wong, co-producer along with Wayne Maeda of the Hawai'i All-Collectors Show which Chapman attended from 1999 to 2007, said that he was

...always very happy and so giving. People would ask him about the movie, or Hollywood, and he would always provide the answers, help out. Ben would bring his briefcase and inside he had his memorabilia – posters, 8-by-10 glossies – and a good pen for autographs. He was just wonderful. In fact, we expected him this year. I think we will make a shrine for him.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ben Chapman (actor)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ben Chapman (October 29, 1928 – February 21, 2008) was an American actor best known for portraying in the land scenes of the 1954 horror film . Born in , to Tahitian parents who were temporarily in the United States, Chapman was raised in until his family relocated to in 1940 when he was 12. After attending school in the , Chapman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served during the , receiving two Purple Hearts for non-combat injuries sustained in service. Following his military service, he pursued acting, signing a brief contract with and appearing in small, often uncredited roles in films such as The Court Jester (1955) and The Alligator People (1959), as well as television shows including Dragnet. Chapman's defining role came in , where his 6-foot-5-inch stature made him ideal for the foam-rubber-suited monster, though underwater scenes were performed by ; the film developed a lasting as a classic of 1950s horror. After his acting career waned, he transitioned to in , , where he lived from the 1970s onward, occasionally attending fan conventions and maintaining a website dedicated to his iconic role. He died of congestive at in at age 79.

Early life

Birth and family background

Benjamin F. Chapman Jr. was born on October 29, 1928, in , to parents of Tahitian heritage who were temporarily in the during a visit. His parents, natives of , maintained their primary residence on the island, where Chapman spent much of his early life, fostering a strong connection to Polynesian culture from infancy. He had a sister, Moea Baty. His upbringing reflected the multicultural influences of his parents' Tahitian roots amid their brief American sojourn. This family background laid the groundwork for Chapman's unique identity, shaped by Pacific Island traditions before his later move to the mainland .

Childhood in Tahiti and relocation to the United States

Chapman spent the first 12 years of his life in , where his family returned shortly after his birth, immersing him in the island's Polynesian culture and traditions from a young age. Growing up in this environment, he was surrounded by the rhythms of Tahitian daily life, including exposure to local customs and the natural beauty of the South Pacific, which later influenced his ethnic identity as a performer. In 1940, due to unspecified family reasons, the Chapmans relocated to the , settling in the . This move marked a significant transition from the isolated island setting to urban American life, where Chapman, then 12 years old, began attending school in the region. The relocation bridged his Polynesian roots—stemming from his parents' heritage—with his emerging experiences in mainland society.

Military service

Enlistment in the Marine Corps

After attending school in the , Ben Chapman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in the late 1940s. This period of initial peacetime service prepared him for , as the outbreak of the in 1950 mobilized Marine forces, leading to his deployment overseas. Enlistment shortly after turning 18 reflected a common post-World War II trend among young men seeking structure and patriotism in the peacetime military.

Korean War experiences and injuries

Chapman deployed to Korea as a member of the during the (1950–1953), serving in combat operations in the harsh conditions of the Korean peninsula, though specific battles in which he participated are not detailed in official records. During intense fighting, Chapman sustained severe battle injuries to both legs, which left him in critical condition. Medical personnel recommended of the injured limbs to prevent further complications, but Chapman refused and instead undertook a rigorous self-nursing regimen to aid his recovery. Through determination and personal care, he managed to heal without , though the injuries caused lasting physical effects that impacted his mobility in later years. For his service, Chapman's Official Military Personnel Folder, reviewed by the , confirms he was awarded the with one star and the United Nations Service Medal. These honors recognize his participation in the campaign and contributions to the multinational effort. Despite earlier reports suggesting additional decorations such as the , Bronze Star, or Purple Hearts, official verification found no record of these awards.

Acting career

Early roles and entry into Hollywood

Prior to his military service, Ben Chapman performed as a Tahitian dancer in nightclubs, showcasing his 6-foot-5-inch frame and physical presence; these engagements attracted talent scouts and led to his film debut as an extra in the 1950 MGM musical Pagan Love Song, where he appeared in a bit role as a dancer amid the film's setting. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps after service in the , Chapman resumed acting with uncredited appearances in small parts, including a television episode of the sitcom in 1954, which further honed his on-screen presence despite the lack of billing. His wartime injuries had left him with a resilient physique well-suited to physically demanding bit roles, though he rarely received formal credit early on. By 1953 or 1954, Chapman's growing visibility as an extra earned him a one-year contract as a bit player with Universal-International Studios, formalizing his entry into Hollywood as a stock actor available for supporting and utility roles. This deal positioned him within the , where his height and athletic build made him a versatile asset for crowd scenes and action-oriented work, though his time there remained brief.

Role as the Gill-man in Creature from the Black Lagoon

In 1954, Ben Chapman was cast to portray in the land-based scenes of , a Universal-International monster directed by Jack Arnold. Selected for his imposing 6-foot-5-inch height and athletic build, Chapman was chosen after a casual encounter with casting director Johnny Rennick, who recognized his suitability for the physically demanding role without a formal audition. Filming the above-water sequences proved grueling for Chapman, who endured wearing a custom foam-rubber and suit for up to 14 hours per day on Universal's back lot and soundstages. The suit, which fit like a second skin and included 10-pound weights in the feet for a gliding effect, sealed his body completely, restricting airflow and causing intense heat buildup that led to profuse sweating and exhaustion. To mitigate the conditions, crew members hosed him down between takes, and he occasionally submerged in a back-lot lake for relief; visibility was severely limited by the mask's small eyeholes, resulting in accidental injuries, such as banging co-star Julie Adams's head against set rocks during a scene. Chapman performed most of his own , including climbing onto boats, though a stunt double handled the sequence in an suit. For the creature's movements, a pump operator used rubber tubes and balloons to simulate breathing effects. Underwater scenes were handled separately by swimmer in a modified suit, ensuring no overlap with Chapman's land performance. Chapman's portrayal, combined with the film's innovative 3D effects and atmospheric Amazon setting, helped establish as a landmark Universal horror classic, introducing an iconic monster that captivated audiences upon its March 1954 release.

Subsequent film and television appearances

Following his iconic portrayal of the Gill-man in Creature from the Black Lagoon, Ben Chapman continued to secure bit roles in film and television, leveraging his imposing 6-foot-5 stature and exotic background for character parts, though opportunities remained sparse. In 1955, he appeared as the tribal leader Marro in the low-budget adventure Jungle Moon Men, a Jungle Jim entry directed by Lew Landers and starring Johnny Weissmuller, where Chapman delivered a supporting performance amid the film's jungle peril and Moon People mythology. That same year, he had an uncredited role as a passenger in the comedy Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki, part of Universal's popular rural family series, contributing to the lighthearted Hawaiian vacation antics without spoken lines. Chapman's television work in the late 1950s and early included episodic appearances that showcased his versatility in exotic or authoritative roles. He guest-starred in two episodes of the adventure series Adventures in Paradise, first as Reynolds, a crew member involved in a tense raft ordeal, in the 1959 installment "The Raft," and later as the imposing native chief Mataofa in the 1961 episode "The Fires of Kanua," navigating volcanic island conflicts. In a 2000 interview, Chapman recalled additional uncredited or minor TV bits on shows like , , and episodes of , reflecting his draw toward Polynesian-themed productions during this period. By the late , Chapman's acting career tapered off, with roughly a dozen total credits across his brief Hollywood tenure, the majority uncredited extras or small speaking parts that underscored the challenges faced by character actors post-breakthrough roles. His diverse yet limited output highlighted a shift from monster fame to supporting jungle and island narratives, before he largely exited performing by the early .

Later career and legacy

Transition to business ventures

After his acting career waned, Ben Chapman transitioned to a career in in , , in the 1970s, where he worked as a salesman and executive until his retirement. Chapman's long-term success in the industry allowed him to retire comfortably, later participating in fan-related activities.

Fan conventions and cultural impact

In the 1980s and 1990s, interest in experienced a significant revival among horror enthusiasts, driven by releases and the growing popularity of Universal Monsters retrospectives, which brought renewed attention to Chapman's portrayal of . This resurgence positioned the film as a , with Chapman actively participating in the wave of by attending numerous fan conventions and autograph shows across the . He embraced his iconic role, often appearing in costume or with memorabilia to engage directly with admirers, transforming the once-intimidating monster into a symbol of approachable horror . Chapman became a staple at horror and memorabilia events from the late 1990s through the , attending over a dozen conventions annually, including Frightvision in , Horrifund in , and Chiller Theatre in the Meadowlands. Known for his generosity, he dedicated substantial time to fans—particularly children—posing for photographs, signing autographs, and sharing personal anecdotes from the 1954 production, such as the challenges of enduring long hours in the foam rubber suit during land scenes. His global travels extended to screenings and events beyond the U.S., where he recounted behind-the-scenes stories that highlighted the film's enduring appeal and contributed to its status within Universal Monsters lore. He also maintained a personal website, the-reelgillman.com, as a hub for fans to learn about his experiences with the role. Chapman's later years solidified his legacy as one of the last living performers of a classic Universal monster, with his interactions fostering a among horror fans and preserving the film's cultural significance. Upon his death in 2008, tributes from family, colleagues, and enthusiasts emphasized his joyful engagement with the Creature phenomenon, noting how fan support sustained him. These remembrances underscored the Gill-man's place as an enduring icon, with Chapman's personal warmth ensuring the character's transition from cinematic terror to beloved cultural touchstone.

Personal life and death

Family and relationships

Chapman maintained strong ties to his Tahitian heritage through his , Moea Baty. His 's to Harry Baty connected the family to , where she resided later in life. Details on Chapman's first are limited in , but he had three children from that relationship: sons Benjamin Franklin Chapman III and Grant Chapman, and daughter Elyse Maree Raljevich. In a 1990s interview, Chapman described his daughter Elyse as 45 years old at the time, his son Ben as a 22-year-old Marine Corps following in his father's military footsteps, and his youngest son Grant, then 15, as living on with his mother, indicating a period of separation following the end of that . In his later years, Chapman formed a long-term partnership with Merrilee Kazarian, lasting 25 years until his death; she affectionately referred to herself as "Mrs. Creature" in homage to his iconic role. The couple resided in , where Kazarian provided steadfast support amid Chapman's business endeavors and health challenges. Elyse, noted as his stepdaughter in some accounts but confirmed as biological by Chapman himself, lived in , while Grant resided in and Ben III in . Chapman expressed pride in his children's independence and occasionally shared family anecdotes at personal gatherings, reflecting a commitment to nurturing relationships despite his peripatetic early life.

Final years and passing

In his later years, Ben Chapman retired to , , where he worked as a real estate executive. During the , he experienced declining health due to advancing age and complications from severe leg injuries sustained as a Marine Corps in the , for which he received two Purple Hearts; these issues included heart problems and breathing difficulties that worsened over the prior year. Chapman died on February 21, 2008, at age 79, at in from complications of congestive . His son, Ben Chapman III, confirmed the death and described how his father's condition had led him to slow down significantly, affecting his ability to attend fan conventions. A memorial service was held on March 29, 2008, at St. Augustine By-The-Sea Church in Waikiki, . Following , Chapman's ashes were scattered at sea off Waikiki Beach in a , with the remaining portion privately scattered in April 2008 at Universal Studios' lagoon, a nod to his iconic role.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.