Ben Chapman dies at 79

February 29, 2008 Ben Chapman, a decorated Korean War veteran and real estate executive best known for playing the title character in the 1954 horror film "Creature From the Black Lagoon," died last week. Chapman's role as the Gill Man -- the quintessential 1950s monster in Universal Pictures' black-and-white film in 3-D -- made him a darling on the collectibles and sci-fi circuit throughout the world. Chapman had a Web site (www.the-reelgillman.com) where fans would reach him, said his son, who was among family members at Chapman's bedside when he died on Feb. 21 at Tripler Army Medical Center.

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