American film director and actor Ricou Browning died of natural causes on February 27, 2023, at his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida. He was 93.
Browning’s family confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.
His daughter, Kim Browning, told the outlet that he died of natural causes at his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida.
“He had a fabulous career in the film industry, providing wonderful entertainment for past and future generations,” Kim said.
Born February 16, 1930, Browning received a degree in physical education at Florida State University.
Browning began his career in water shows, moving on to produce shows.
Recognised for his underwater stunt work, particularly in the 1954 film Creature from the Black Lagoon, in which he portrayed the titular Gill-man in the film’s underwater scenes.
Browning reprised the role for the underwater scenes in the film’s sequels Revenge of the Creature (1955) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956).
Ricou also directed the harpoon-filled fight in Thunderball in 1965, an underwater scene in Never Say Never Again in 1983 and the hilarious Jaws-inspired scene in Caddyshack in 1980.
Ricou was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2012.
In 2019, he was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame.
Ricou Browning is survived by his four children, Ricou Browning Jr, Renee, Kelly and Kim, his 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. His wife, Fran, died in March 2020.