Forrest J Ackerman

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ackerman saw his first "imagi-movie" in 1922 (One Glorious Day), purchased his first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories, in 1926, and created the Boys' Scientifiction Club in 1930. He contributed to the first science fiction fanzine, The Time Traveler. He attended the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in 1939, where he wore the first "futuristicostume" (designed and created by his girlfriend, Myrtle R Douglas, better known as Morojo), which sparked decades of fan costuming thereafter, the latest incarnation of which is cosplay. He attended every Worldcon but two thereafter during his lifetime. In 1994, the International Costumers' Guild (ICG) presented a special award to Ackerman at Conadian, the 52nd Worldcon, recognizing him as the "Father of Convention Costuming" for wearing his "futuristicostume" at the 1st Worldcon. Ackerman invited Ray Bradbury to attend the Los Angeles Chapter of the Science Fiction League, then meeting weekly at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles. With $90 from Ackerman and Morojo, Bradbury launched a fanzine, Futuria Fantasia, in 1939, which ran for four issues.

Reader's Guide

Ackerman's significance lies in his foundational role in science fiction fandom and his decades-long promotion of the genre. As founding editor and principal writer of Famous Monsters of Filmland (1958–1983), published by Warren Publishing, he introduced the history of the science fiction, fantasy, and horror film genres to a generation of young readers. He co-created the character Vampirella. As a literary agent, he represented such science fiction authors as Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, A. E. van Vogt, Curt Siodmak, and L. Ron Hubbard, and represented some 200 writers. He coined the genre nickname "sci-fi" and was voted "#1 Fan Personality" by the members of the World Science Fiction Society in 1953, a unique Hugo Award never granted to anyone else. His vast collection of genre memorabilia, housed in the "Son of Ackermansion" in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles, contained some 300,000 books and pieces of film and science-fiction memorabilia. From 1951 to 2002, Ackerman entertained some 50,000 fans at open houses – including, on one such evening, a group of 186 fans and professionals that included astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Ackerman also acted in films from the 1950s into the 21st century, appearing in more than 210 films, and was among the first and most outspoken advocates of Esperanto in the science fiction community.

Did You Know?

• Ackerman coined the genre nickname "sci-fi" and was famous for his word play and neologisms.
• He wore the first "futuristicostume" at the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in 1939, designed by his girlfriend Myrtle R Douglas (Morojo), which sparked decades of fan costuming now known as cosplay.
• In 1953, he was voted "#1 Fan Personality" by the members of the World Science Fiction Society, a unique Hugo Award never granted to anyone else.
• Ackerman authored several lesbian stories under the name "Laurajean Ermayne" for Vice Versa and was dubbed an "honorary lesbian" at a Daughters of Bilitis party.
• He kept all stories submitted to his magazine, even rejected ones; Stephen King stated that Ackerman showed up to a King book signing with a copy of a story King had submitted for publication when he was 11.