Ricou Browning, best known for portraying Gill-Man in the 1954 filmCreature from the Black Lagoon,died earlier this week of natural causes, according toTheHollywood Reporter.He was 93.
“He had a fabulous career in the film industry, providing wonderful entertainment for past and future generations,” the actor’s daughter Kim Browning toldTHR, confirming his death.
In addition to donning the Gill-Man suit for the underwater scenes inBlack Lagoonand its 1955 and 1956 sequels, Browning also worked on several other Hollywood productions in various roles.
The actor worked as a stuntman in more than two dozen movies including the 1954 film20,000 Leagues Under the Seaand 1959’sDon’t Give Up the Ship, where he doubled forJerry Lewis.
Browning also did some directing, taking the helm for some of cinema’s most memorable scenes in film. He directed theJaws-inspired candy-bar-in-the-pool scene in the 1980 filmCaddyshackand the harpoon fighting scene in the 1965James BondmovieThunderball.
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Ricou Browning inCreature from the Black Lagoon(1954).Snap/Shutterstock
Browning was born on Feb. 16, 1930, in Fort Pierce, Florida, according toa biography on IMDb,and spent his early years in the water.
After attending Florida State University, he worked as a performer at Weeki Wachee Springs, a Florida tourist spot known for its aquatic shows, and was often featured in underwater newsreels,THRreports. Browning was also a member of the U.S. Air Force swim team, per the outlet.
Poster forCreature from the Black Lagoon(1954).LMPC via Getty Images
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In his 2013 interview with theOcala StarBanner, Browning recalled that hiscostume “was cumbersome at first, adding, “When I first put it on, it seemed awkward and clumsy. But once I got into the movie, I forgot I had it on. I became the creature.”
In a later interview with the Halloween Daily News in 2019, Browning went into more detail about the shoot, revealingthey filmed the water scenes in the winter.
“The crew felt sorry for me, so somebody said, ‘How would you like a shot of brandy?’ I said, ‘Sure,’ " he remembered. “Another part of the crew [also] gave me a shot of brandy. Pretty soon they were dealing with a drunk creature.”
source: people.com
