Richard Matheson, author dead at 87

Richard Matheson – notable science fiction, fantasy, and horror author – died yesterday, according to a statement from his daughter, Ali.

Best known for works adapted to film, such as The Shrinking Man, Hell House, What Dreams May Come, and I Am Legend, Matheson began writing in 1950. Born in Allendale, New Jersey in 1926, he married Ruth Ann Woodson in 1952, and had four children, three of which also followed in their father’s footsteps to become authors – Chris, Richard Christian, and Ali Matheson.

Matheson’s daughter Ali made a simple statement on her father’s death:

“My beloved father passed away yesterday at home surrounded by the people and things he loved…he was funny, brilliant, loving, generous, kind, creative, and the most wonderful father ever…I miss you and love you forever Pop and I know you are now happy and healthy in a beautiful place full of love and joy you always knew was there.”

Matheson’s first novel, Someone is Bleeding, was published in 1953. Since then, his works have included hundreds of short stories, novels and movies. Inducted into The Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2010, Matheson has been a strong influence within the world of science fiction and horror, with authors like Stephen King and Anne Rice stating his work had been a creative influence for them. In what appears to be his last on-screen appearance, Matheson was featured in Paul Davids’ “The Life After Death Project” – a documentary on finding proof of life after death – and was just released in May of this year.