Luke Halpin as Sandy Ricks did all his own stunts throughout the Flipper TV series including the "Shark Hunt" show in Series 2 where he wrestled to the surface some large nasty sharks that were caught on large hooks. The only exceptions were in "300 Feet Below" Series 1 and "Firing Line 2" Series 3 when the dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry doubled for Luke - the first being a 20 foot dive from a helicopter into the ocean and the second dodging stunt explosives designed to look like the skiff was being fired at by naval guns.
Flipper was played by five female dolphins, mostly Susie, Kathy, and occasionally Patty, Scotty, and Squirt. A male dolphin, Clown, was used for the tail-walk shots. All were trained by Richard O'Barry.
Mitzi, Little Bit and Mr. Gipper lived with Milton Santini in Grassy Key, Florida Keys at a location now known as Dolphin Research Center.
Dolphin trainer Richard O'Barry said on a few occasions he ran an extension cord down to the Miami Seaquarium so that the dolphins who acted in the Flipper TV show could see themselves when the shows they acted in screened on air. He said they were very self aware.
When Kathy (who played Flipper most often) died in the arms of trainer Richard O'Barry in 1970, he left his job and became active in protecting dolphins from capture and hunting.