Ricou Browning

Ricou Browning

Known for: Writer

Born: February 16, 1930 Died: February 27, 2023

Place of birth: Fort Pierce, Florida, USA

Born in Fort Pierce, Florida, Ricou Browning grew up in nearby Jensen Beach and went on to study physical education at Florida State university. He got a career start diving and springboard diving in local water shows. By the time he was in his early 20s, he was producing underwater shows at Weeki Wachee Springs and topside water shows at Rainbow Springs and other locations. After playing the Gill Men in the underwater scenes of Universal's Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and its sequels (Revenge of the Creature (1955) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956)), he got into the swim of film and TV production as a result of an encounter with producer Ivan Tors; Browning ended up president of Tors' Florida studios (he was involved on Tors' Sea Hunt (1958), The Aquanauts (1960) and Flipper (1963) movies and TV series, etc.) He has also worked as a second unit director (above and below water), producer, writer, stunt man and stunt coordinator.