Zale Perry, Pioneering Underwater Stuntwoman and LSD Study Participant, Dies at 93

Zale Perry, a pioneering scuba diver and underwater stuntwoman in Hollywood, has died at the age of 93. Perry was renowned for her depth-defying feats in aquatic film sequences, contributing to the industry's early underwater cinematography. Beyond her stunt career, she was notably among the participants in a controversial LSD research study during the 1950s, which included famous actors Cary Grant, Jack Nicholson, and Dennis Hopper. The study, conducted by Dr. Oscar Janiger, explored the effects of LSD on creativity and perception. Perry's participation in the study reportedly deepened her reverence for the oceanic world, influencing her later work and advocacy for marine conservation. Her death marks the end of an era for early Hollywood stunt performers and the counterculture movement that intersected with the entertainment industry. Perry's legacy includes not only her contributions to film but also her role in the psychedelic research that shaped the cultural landscape of the 1960s. She passed away on August 16, 2026, as reported by The New York Times.