He lets spiders crawl up his arm. He holds monkeys like he’s cradling a baby. He feeds wolves and has exotic birds perch on his head on national TV. But enough about Donald Trump. Sorry. Kidding. Trump has never cradled anything. No, I’m talking about Jack Hanna, the genial animal lover and expert who has become one of David Letterman’s go-to guests and in the world of zookeepers, he is among the most respected and emulated.
Through his shows Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures and Into the Wild, animal expert Jack Hanna is known as America’s favorite zookeeper. Jungle Jack’s live show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures.
In 1983, he was invited to appear on Good Morning America in New York following the birth of baby twin gorillas at the Columbus Zoo. He eagerly accepted the invitation knowing that this was a great opportunity to educate people across the nation about animals. He has been a regular guest and wildlife correspondent ever since.Two years later, in 1985, he appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman for the first time. He and Dave “hit it off” and now he is a guest on The Late Show several times each year. A few years later he started appearing regularly on Larry King Live. Other shows that he has appeared on with his animal friends include The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hollywood Squares, The Maury Show, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News and CNN programs, and various other news programs (as a wildlife correspondent). The animals that he brings on television are ambassadors to their cousins in the wilds, and are cared for by professionals. In 1993 he became the host of Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, a nationally syndicated television series. After 10 plus years with Animal Adventures, he decided to start a new TV Series, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild. This unscripted and action-packed series began airing in October 2007. In June 2008 Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Series.
On January 6 his Into the Wild Live show comes to the Mayo Performing Arts Center, a venue that never ceases to amaze me with the variety of entertainment they present week in, week out. Tickets are still available so act now. And be careful. This man is a trained professional. Don’t try his tricks with your dog or cat at home.