Ben Chapman's life story begins with his birth in Oakland, California, during his parents' trip to the United States from Tahiti, where he would later be raised.
Growing up in Tahiti, Chapman's early life took a dramatic turn when he relocated to the United States in 1940 and attended school in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As a young man, Chapman's passion for dance led him to work as a Tahitian dancer in nightclubs, which ultimately landed him his first movie role in MGM's "Pagan Love Song" in 1950.
Following this initial success, Chapman went on to secure small film roles before being called to duty in the Korean War, which temporarily put his modest screen career on hold.
Upon his return from the war, Chapman's talent was rediscovered by scouts from Universal-International, who saw potential in the six-foot-five-inch tall actor and cast him in a series of films for the studio.
One of his most iconic roles was that of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, a character he portrayed in scenes where the camera was out of water, with Ricou Browning taking over for underwater scenes.
In his later years, Chapman continued to make appearances, often commuting to autograph shows in the mainland United States, sharing his experiences and memories with fans.
