Ray Corrigan
Actor
About Ray Corrigan
Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, born Raymond Benard, was a versatile American actor, stuntman, and entrepreneur who became one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors during the Golden Age. He began his career as a professional boxer and diver before transitioning to stunt work in the early 1930s. Corrigan gained fame for his ability to convincingly portray various creatures, particularly gorillas, which led to his nickname 'The King of the Gorillas.' He starred in numerous B-westerns, most notably as one of the original Three Mesquiteers alongside John Wayne and later with other actors. In 1937, he purchased the property that would become Corriganville, a popular movie ranch and theme park used for countless film and television productions. His career spanned over three decades, during which he appeared in more than 300 films, often performing his own dangerous stunts. Corrigan's physical prowess and distinctive screen presence made him a beloved figure among adventure and western film enthusiasts.
The Craft
On Screen
Corrigan was known for his physical, athletic approach to acting, often performing his own stunts and specializing in creature roles. His style emphasized action and physical presence over dialogue, making him particularly effective in adventure films and westerns. He had a distinctive ability to convey emotion and character even while wearing heavy costumes, especially gorilla suits.
Milestones
- Became one of the original Three Mesquiteers
- Opened Corriganville Movie Ranch in 1937
- Played the title role in 'The White Gorilla' (1945)
- Performed stunts in over 300 films
- Known as 'The King of the Gorillas' for his creature performances
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Corriganville Movie Ranch designated as a historic landmark
- Inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ray Corrigan significantly influenced Hollywood's approach to creature effects and stunt work, particularly in the B-movie genre. His Corriganville Movie Ranch became an iconic filming location that shaped the visual landscape of countless westerns and adventure films. Corrigan's ability to make audiences believe in his creature performances, especially his gorilla roles, set a standard for creature acting that influenced generations of performers. His work helped establish the B-western as a legitimate and profitable genre during Hollywood's Golden Age.
Lasting Legacy
Corrigan's legacy endures through the hundreds of films he helped create and the countless actors and stuntmen who trained at Corriganville. The movie ranch he created became one of Hollywood's most important filming locations, used in productions ranging from The Adventures of Superman to The Lone Ranger. His pioneering work in creature performance paved the way for future special effects and monster movie performers. Today, he is remembered as a quintessential Hollywood character actor whose physical talents and entrepreneurial spirit left an indelible mark on American cinema.
Who They Inspired
Corrigan influenced numerous stunt performers and creature actors who followed in his footsteps, particularly those working in the B-movie and television western genres. His techniques for performing in heavy creature costumes and his approach to physical storytelling became standard practices in the industry. Many future stunt coordinators and second unit directors learned their craft at Corriganville, carrying his methods forward into modern filmmaking.
Off Screen
Corrigan was married twice and had three children. He was known for his athletic prowess outside of acting, maintaining his boxing skills and diving abilities throughout his life. After retiring from film, he focused on managing Corriganville, which became a popular tourist attraction until its closure in the 1960s.
Education
Limited formal education; primarily self-taught in boxing, diving, and stunt work
Family
- Marilyn Mason (1925-1945)
- Donna Corrigan (1946-1976)
Did You Know?
- Earned the nickname 'Crash' after surviving a serious plane crash during his boxing days
- Owned and operated Corriganville Movie Ranch from 1937 to 1966
- Performed his own gorilla stunts, often working in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees
- Was a professional boxer before entering the film industry
- Served in the U.S. Army during World War I
- Corriganville was used in over 3,500 film and television productions
- Was one of the few actors who could convincingly portray gorillas before advanced makeup techniques
- His gorilla suit was so realistic that it was rumored to be a real gorilla on set
- Appeared in every Three Mesquiteers film from 1936 to 1943
- Was a champion diver and performed many water stunts in his films
In Their Own Words
I'd rather play a gorilla than a leading man any day of the week.
The secret to playing a gorilla is not just the suit, it's the heart you put into it.
Every stunt is dangerous, but the dangerous ones are the ones that pay the bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ray Corrigan?
Ray 'Crash' Corrigan was an American actor, stuntman, and entrepreneur best known for his work in B-westerns and creature films. He gained fame for portraying gorillas and other monsters, earning him the nickname 'The King of the Gorillas.' He was also one of the original Three Mesquiteers and founded the famous Corriganville Movie Ranch.
What films is Ray Corrigan best known for?
Corrigan is best known for 'The White Gorilla' (1945), the Three Mesquiteers western series (1936-1943), 'Undersea Kingdom' (1936), and numerous other B-westerns and adventure films. He appeared in over 300 films throughout his career, often in creature roles or as a stunt performer.
When was Ray Corrigan born and when did he die?
Ray Corrigan was born Raymond Benard on December 14, 1902, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He passed away on August 10, 1976, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, at the age of 73.
What awards did Ray Corrigan win?
While Ray Corrigan did not receive major industry awards like Academy Awards, he was posthumously inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame for his contributions to stunt work and action cinema. His Corriganville Movie Ranch was also designated as a historic landmark, recognizing its cultural significance.
What was Ray Corrigan's acting style?
Corrigan's acting style was heavily physical and athletic, emphasizing action and stunt work over dialogue. He specialized in creature performances, particularly gorillas, where he used his physical prowess to create believable characters even in restrictive costumes. His approach was practical and hands-on, often performing his own dangerous stunts.
What was Corriganville?
Corriganville was Ray Corrigan's movie ranch and theme park, opened in 1937 in Simi Valley, California. It featured diverse filming locations including western towns, jungles, and lakes, and was used in over 3,500 film and television productions. It also operated as a popular public attraction until its closure in 1966.
How did Ray Corrigan get his nickname 'Crash'?
Corrigan earned the nickname 'Crash' after surviving a serious plane crash during his early boxing career. The name stuck with him throughout his film career and became part of his professional identity, often being credited as Ray 'Crash' Corrigan in his films.
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Films
1 film
