12 Facts About Ricou Browning

Ricou Ren Browning was an American stunt performer, filmmaker and actor.

Ricou Browning was the co-creator of the Flipper media franchise.

Ricou Ren Browning was born in Fort Pierce, Florida, on February 16,1930.

Ricou Browning majored in physical education at Florida State University.

Ricou Browning worked at Wakulla Springs in the 1940s and learned to perform in underwater newsreels conceived by Newt Perry, who later took Ricou Browning along when he opened Weeki Wachee Springs.

Ricou Browning accepted, and played the Gill-man in the film's underwater scenes, while actor Ben Chapman played the monster on land.

Ricou Browning reprised his role as the underwater Gill-man in two sequels, Revenge of the Creature and The Creature Walks Among Us.

Ricou Browning continued in movie production and joined Ivan Tors' studios in Florida, where he co-wrote and co-produced the 1963 film Flipper together with Jack Cowden; Ricou Browning directed the second unit underwater scenes for the film.

Ricou Browning continued writing and directing for the subsequent Flipper television series that debuted in 1964.

Ricou Browning made his feature film directorial debut with Salty, which he co-wrote with Cowden, and directed the cult film Mr No Legs.

Ricou Browning worked as second unit director, stunt coordinator and underwater sequence director on a number of features, including the James Bond films Thunderball and Never Say Never Again, Around the World Under the Sea, Island of the Lost, Hello Down There, and Caddyshack.

Ricou Browning died at home in Southwest Ranches, Florida, on February 27,2023, at age 93.