Richard Matheson
Biography
Richard Burton Matheson was an American author and screenwriter who worked primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Born on February 20, 1926, in Allendale, New Jersey, he passed away on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87. Matheson is best known as the author of the 1954 science fiction horror novel I Am Legend, which has been adapted for the screen three times, including The Last Man on Earth, which he co-scripted and which starred Vincent Price, as well as The Omega Man starring Charlton Heston and I Am Legend starring Will Smith. He also wrote 16 television episodes of The Twilight Zone, such as Nightmare at 20,000 Feet and Steel, and wrote several Edgar Allan Poe adaptations for Roger Corman and American International.
Career overview
Richard Burton Matheson was an American author and screenwriter who worked primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He was born on February 20, 1926, in Allendale, New Jersey, and passed away on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87. Throughout his career, he accumulated 79 known credits primarily in the field of writing.
He is best known as the author of the 1954 science fiction horror novel I Am Legend, which has been adapted for the screen three times. The first film adaptation, The Last Man on Earth, starred Vincent Price and was co-scripted by Matheson. The other two screen adaptations are The Omega Man, which starred Charlton Heston, and I Am Legend, which starred Will Smith.
In addition to his novel and its adaptations, Matheson wrote 16 television episodes of The Twilight Zone, including the episodes Nightmare at 20,000 Feet and Steel. His career also included writing several adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe stories for Roger Corman and American International.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
96 titles- The Shrinking Man (2025) Novel
- De 6 à 8 (2023) Original Story
- The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration (2019) Writer
- The Life After Death Project (2013) as Self
- Real Steel (2011) Short Story
- Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man (2010) as Self
- The Box (2009) Original Story
- I Am Legend (2007) Novel
- I Am Omega (2007) Novel
- My Ambition (2006) Short Story
- Masters of Horror (2005) Writer
- Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy (2005) as Self
- Dance of the Dead (2005) Short Story
- Back To "Somewhere In Time" (2000) as Self
- Family Guy (1999) Short Story
- Stir of Echoes (1999) Novel
- What Dreams May Come (1998) Novel
- Trilogy of Terror II (1996) Screenplay
- Trilogy of Terror II (1996) Short Story
- The Outer Limits (1995) Writer
- The Twilight Zone: Rod Serling's Lost Classics (1994) Teleplay
- Loose Cannons (1990) Writer
- The Dreamer of Oz (1990) Story
- The Dreamer of Oz (1990) Screenplay
- The Twilight Zone (1985) Writer
- Amazing Stories (1985) Writer
- Jaws 3-D (1983) Screenplay
- Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) Story
- Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) Screenplay
- Prey (1983) Short Story
- The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) Novel
- Somewhere in Time (1980) as Astonished Man [1912]
- Somewhere in Time (1980) Novel
- Somewhere in Time (1980) Screenplay
- The Martian Chronicles (1980) Writer
- Dead of Night (1977) Writer
- Dead of Night (1977) Original Story
- The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver (1977) Writer
- The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver (1977) Associate Producer
- Trilogy of Terror (1975) Story
- Trilogy of Terror (1975) Screenplay
- The Godfather Part II (1974) as Senator #3 (uncredited)
- Dracula (1974) Writer
- Icy Breasts (1974) Novel
- The Stranger Within (1974) Teleplay
- The Stranger Within (1974) Short Story
- The Morning After (1974) Teleplay
- Scream of the Wolf (1974) Teleplay
- The Legend of Hell House (1973) Novel
- The Legend of Hell House (1973) Screenplay
- The Night Strangler (1973) Writer
- Dying Room Only (1973) Teleplay
- Dying Room Only (1973) Short Story
- Ghost Story (1972) Writer
- Ghost Story (1972) Creator
- The Night Stalker (1972) Teleplay
- Duel (1971) Screenplay
- Duel (1971) Story
- The Omega Man (1971) Novel
- Night Gallery (1970) Writer
- Cold Sweat (1970) Novel
- De Sade (1969) Screenplay
- Late Night Horror (1968) Short Story
- The Devil Rides Out (1968) Screenplay
- No Such Thing as a Vampire (1968) Writer
- Soy leyenda (1967) Novel
- The Young Warriors (1967) Writer
- Star Trek (1966) Writer
- The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (1966) Writer
- Fanatic (1965) Screenplay
- The Last Man on Earth (1964) Screenplay
- The Last Man on Earth (1964) Novel
- The Comedy of Terrors (1964) Screenplay
- The Comedy of Terrors (1964) Novel
- The Comedy of Terrors (1964) Associate Producer
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) Writer
- The Raven (1963) Screenplay
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) Writer
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) Novel
- Combat! (1962) Writer
- Tales of Terror (1962) Screenplay
- Night of the Eagle (1962) Writer
- The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) Screenplay
- Master of the World (1961) Screenplay
- Thriller (1960) Writer
- House of Usher (1960) Writer
- The Twilight Zone (1959) Writer
- The Beat Generation (1959) Writer
- Lawman (1958) Writer
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) Writer
- The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) Screenplay
- The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) Novel
- Cheyenne (1955) Writer
- I Am Legend 2 Characters
- Now Is Tomorrow Writer
- The AckerMonster Chronicles!
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Matheson best known for?
Richard Matheson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Shrinking Man (2025), Happy Kanako's Killer Life (2025), Real Steel (2011), The Box (2009).
When and where was Richard Matheson born?
Richard Matheson was born on February 20, 1926 in Allendale, New Jersey, USA. They passed away on June 23, 2013.
How many credits does Richard Matheson have?
Richard Matheson has accumulated over 96 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2025.
What is Richard Matheson's background in cinema and television?
Richard Burton Matheson was an American author and screenwriter who worked primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Born on February 20, 1926, in Allendale, New Jersey, he passed away on June 23, 2013, at the age of 87. Matheson is best known as the author of the 1954 science fiction horror novel I...