Famed stunt scuba diver and iconic Fort Lauderdale resident “Big” John McLaughlin Jr. whose credits include TV serials such as “Sea Hunt” and eight James Bond films, died April 20 at age 93 in Charleston, SC.

McLaughlin served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2 and later the Korean War. A scuba diver, he attended the Divers Training Academy in Miami where he became a dive master. His first film as a stunt double was “Operation Petticoat” in 1959.

McLaughlin was the dive master for 1965 Bond film “Thunderball” and played the white-haired villain Largo in underwater battle scenes. He also performed 34 underwater stunt roles in the film.

His also worked in underwater cinematography, a demolitions instruction, deep water salvage for the. U.S. Navy and as a marine mammal trainer. His work in “Sea Hunt” where he played a stunt diver for Lloyd Bridges sparked his interest in dolphins, orcas and sharks. He worked with the Navy in their efforts to use dolphins for search and recover exercises.

In 2014, he was recognized for a lifetime of achievement by the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale. In 2007, his work documenting coral reef damage from anchors earned him the first National Week of the Ocean lifetime achievement award. It also led to designated anchorage zones.