The last of the Universal Monsters has left us. Ricou Browning sadly passed away just a few weeks after his 93rd birthday leaving behind a cinematic legacy that included work as an actor, cinematographer and director.
Born in Fort Pierce, Florida 1930, Browning’s passion for the water was evident from an early age. He studied physical education at Florida State University and got his professional start springboard diving in local water shows. By his early twenties Browning was producing underwater shows and performing in underwater newsreels. When a camera crew visited Wakulla Springs in 1953 scouting for filming locations, Browning was made their guide. A curious cameraman asked Browning if he could swim underwater in front of the cameras to get a perspective of a human against a fish. Browning obliged and shortly after found himself with an offer to play the titular role in an upcoming movie. With an ability to hold his breath for up to four minutes underwater, Browning was the perfect choice to play the Gill Man in Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954). Whilst actor Ben Chapman would portray the Creature on any land sequences it was Browning’s talent underwater that really made the Creature come to life for viewers. No easy feat considering the restrictive costume he had to wear. Browning would reprise the role of the Creature in two sequels Revenge Of The Creature (1955) and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956). In the 1960’s Browning went on to co-create and direct episodes of the family favorite TV show, Flipper about a twelve year old boy who befriends a friendly wild Dolphin.
Browning would direct several feature films and was even put in charge of the underwater sequences for the James Bond movies.. Thunderball (1965) and Never Say Never Again (1983) as well as the comedy classic Caddyshack (1980).
In 2012 he was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. After a recent watch of Creature from the Black Lagoon up on a huge screen I was really taken by how graceful and believable the Creature was particularly in the underwater sequences. Ricou Browning may have been the last of our favorite movie stars of yesteryear to leave us but in my mind he will always rank amongst the greatest.
“We lost an icon of horror the original reason to stay out of the water. But luckily we have the movies he made us love him so much. Godspeed, Ricou”. – Corey Taylor
Ricou Browning 1930 -2023