Biography

Ray Corrigan was a physical culturist and very good athlete. He began working in Hollywood, as a physical fitness trainer for movie stars. Bit parts in 1932 led to action roles in the Undersea Kingdom (1936) and The Leathernecks Have Landed (1936), the same year he began his role as Tucson Smith in Republic Pictures' "Three Mesquiteer" series; he did 24 films in that series before leaving in 1939. He also did 20 of the 24 "Range Busters" series which ran from 1940 to 1943. In the latter part of his career he played apes in The White Gorilla (1945) and Killer Ape (1953) and the title character in the sci-fi classic It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958). After he retired he operated a number of successful businesses. One of these, Corriganville, was a ranch and town used for filming TV and movie westerns. His nickname "Crash" derived from his powerful physique and willingness to undertake dangerous stunts.
- IMDb mini biography by: Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu> (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous)

Owned and operated "Corriganville", a working movie ranch in Simi Valley, CA. On weekends it was open to the public. Kids could see stuntmen in gunfights, and meet stars like Rin Tin Tin and Chief Thundercloud, while dad had a beer in the movie "saloon" (just down the road was the Spahn Movie Ranch, later home to the infamous Manson Family). Corriganville was subsequently sold to Bob Hope and renamed Hopetown. This location was home to early motorcycle races that subsequently became motocross. The area is now the site of houses and a park. All sets were lost in fires.

Used the names Ray Bernard and Ray Benard interchangeably until he took the name of the character he played in Undersea Kingdom (1936).

At his funeral, Eddie Dean sang "Empty Saddles in the Old Corral".

At Corriganville Ranch, the "Darling Sisters" act (Polly Bond, and Maryellen Sennett) performed and both sisters assisted with the ranch's entertainment from the late '40s through 1950.

Like his contemporary Charles Gammora, Corrigan owned his own custom fit ape costume, making it easier (and less expensive for the studio) to get simian roles.