Ricou Browning had an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million at the time of his death. He accumulated this money through his career as a film director, actor, producer, screenwriter, underwater cinematographer, and stuntman.
The Fort Pierce, Florida native Browning obtained a degree in physical education at Florida State University.
He commenced his career in water shows, moving on to produce shows.
Known for his underwater stunt work, especially 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. He was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards’ Monster Kid Hall of Fame in 2019.
Browning died on February 27, 2023, at age 93 at his home in Southwest Ranches, Florida.
He 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.