Actor. A United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, he had a short acting career playing a handful of bit, mostly unaccredited parts in motion pictures and on television. However, he achieved lasting cult movie symbol status when he was selected to play 'The Gill-Man', the monster and main character in the 1954 cult horror film "The Creature From The Black Lagoon". His six-foot, five-inch frame was deemed perfect for the role, which he performed in a foam-rubber body suit. He filmed the parts where the creature was seen on land; actor Ricou Browning performed the parts underwater. After the film achieved cult hit status, he would make appearances and become a popular figure for many years at horror film fan conventions. He passed away from complications of congestive heart failure at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. His ashes were scattered at sea off Hawaii with a portion, reserve for scattering at Park Lake (Black Lagoon) at Universal Studios.
Actor. A United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, he had a short acting career playing a handful of bit, mostly unaccredited parts in motion pictures and on television. However, he achieved lasting cult movie symbol status when he was selected to play 'The Gill-Man', the monster and main character in the 1954 cult horror film "The Creature From The Black Lagoon". His six-foot, five-inch frame was deemed perfect for the role, which he performed in a foam-rubber body suit. He filmed the parts where the creature was seen on land; actor Ricou Browning performed the parts underwater. After the film achieved cult hit status, he would make appearances and become a popular figure for many years at horror film fan conventions. He passed away from complications of congestive heart failure at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. His ashes were scattered at sea off Hawaii with a portion, reserve for scattering at Park Lake (Black Lagoon) at Universal Studios.
Bio by: Armand Vaquer
Advertisement
