Ricou Browning (1930-2023) was an American director, actor, stuntman, and screenwriter, considered a pioneer of underwater cinematography. He is best known for portraying the Gill-man in the underwater sequences of the horror classic *Creature from the Black Lagoon* (1954) and its two sequels. His career developed primarily behind the camera: he co-created the character of Flipper, writing the story for the 1963 film of the same name and directing numerous episodes of the subsequent television series. His experience as a director of underwater sequences was crucial for films such as *Thunderball* (1965) and its remake, *Never Say Never Again* (1983), as well as for the famous pool scene in *Caddyshack* (1980). For his pioneering contribution to cinema, in 2012, he received the "Florida's Finest" award from the Florida Film Festival in recognition of his lasting impact on the film industry.