Richard Matheson, 'I AM LEGEND’ and ‘TWILIGHT ZONE’ writer, dead at 87

[Chris_]

Richard Matheson, 'I AM LEGEND’ and ‘TWILIGHT ZONE’ writer, dead at 87

Richard Matheson, one of the most important creators in the history of genre fiction, passed away at the age of 87. Even those who haven’t read his novels or stories have felt his considerable influence and it’s safe to say that horror, science-fiction and fantasy wouldn’t be what they are today without his fingerprints.

Born in 1926, Matheson wrote dozens of novels and short stories as well as his fair share of screenplays. Although his most famous novel, ‘I Am Legend,’ was adapted for the big screen three times (as ‘The Last Man on Earth,’ ‘The Omega Man’ and ‘I Am Legend’), many of his other stories also found their way into theaters. His story ‘Button, Button’ became ‘The Box.’ His novel ‘A Stir of Echoes’ served as the basis for the 1999 film ‘Stir of Echoes.’ He would also adapt his own short story ‘Duel’ for television, making him one of the first people to write for the legendary director Steven Spielberg. He also adapted his own ‘The Shrinking Man’ for the movies as ‘The Incredible Shrinking Man’ and three of his stories were adapted for the horror anthology film ‘Trilogy of Terror.’

Screencrush

Rest in peace. 

[obumazombie]

Duel, with Dennis Weaver was one of the best low budget "B" movie action suspense thrillers of all time.
I often though Sonny Bono and Weaver looked a lot alike

[Airwolf]

I loved his work. I especially liked the Omega Man with Charlton Heston as Col. Neviell. Scary to me at the time because during the scene where he has a sort of PTSD flashback to the start of the war , you hear a voice over talk about aborting the missile launches because the enemy warheads have some kind of germs in them and at the time I had no idea that it was possible. I was about 13 and seeing it on the big screen was pretty cool till the end when the Zombie/Vampires kill Col. Neviell as he tries to escape from them.

[dixierose]

Duel, with Dennis Weaver was one of the best low budget "B" movie action suspense thrillers of all time.
I often though Sonny Bono and Weaver looked a lot alike

Agree on both counts.

[JohnnyReb]

I loved his work. I especially liked the Omega Man with Charlton Heston as Col. Neviell. Scary to me at the time because during the scene where he has a sort of PTSD flashback to the start of the war , you hear a voice over talk about aborting the missile launches because the enemy warheads have some kind of germs in them and at the time I had no idea that it was possible. I was about 13 and seeing it on the big screen was pretty cool till the end when the Zombie/Vampires kill Col. Neviell as he tries to escape from them.

Me too.....could watch it over and over again.

[Airwolf]

Me too.....could watch it over and over again.

You can't go wrong there. Anytime someone all dressed up for dinner and has  ruined by some Zombie/Vampire types, takes out a BAR with a night sight and cuts loose is A-Ok to me.