Jim Fowler Biography – Jim Fowler Wiki
Jim Fowler was an American professional zoologist and host of the Emmy Award-winning television show Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.
Fowler became interested in wildlife growing up on his family’s farm in Georgia. He studied zoology in college, where he was also a star baseball player. Fowler turned down offers from the Phillies and Yankees to pursue a career as a naturalist.
In the late 1950’s Fowler was working at a raptor sanctuary in Florida when Perkins came down to shoot an episode of “Zoo Parade,” a show he was hosting at the time. But Fowler resisted the pull to go into television. He wanted to pursue a graduate degree instead.
For his research, Fowler embarked on a trip to the Amazon for a study of the harpy eagle, the world’s largest bird of prey. He became the first man to capture one and bring it back to the United States. When Fowler was invited onto the “Today” show to display the eagles in 1961, Perkins was watching. And he was impressed. He asked him to work on the pilot of “Wild Kingdom” with him.
Fowler co-hosted Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” with Marlin Perkins beginning on January 6, 1963. He and Perkins won four Emmys for “outstanding program achievement” in 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1970. Perkins died in 1986 and Fowler took over sole hosting duties until the show’s last episode aired in 1987.
He was also known for being a regular guest on “The Tonight Show,” first with Johnny Carson and then Jay Leno. He also made appearances on “Late Night” with Conan O’Brien.
Jim Fowler Age
He was born on April 9, 1930 in Albany, Georgia, United States, as James M. Fowler. He died on May 8, 2019 in Norwalk, Connecticut aged 89.
Jim Fowler Wife
He was married to his wife Betsey Fowler.
Jim Fowler Children
He had two children, a son, J.Mark Fowler and a daughter, Carrie H. Fowler.
Jim Fowler Death
He died on May 8, 2019 at his home in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was 89.
Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said about Jim Fowler in a tweet: “We were saddened to learn of the death of our friend Jim Fowler. Growing up this kid from the Bronx and millions of others spent every Sunday night w/ him and Wild Kingdom. He was a force and role model in my career choice. As a kid I could not have imagined becoming his friend.”
We were saddened to learn of the death of our friend Jim Fowler. Growing up this kid from the Bronx & millions of others spent every Sunday night w/ him & @WildKingdom He was a force & role model in my career choice. As a kid I could not have imagined becoming his friend pic.twitter.com/HACfT0uE9e
— Jim Breheny (@JimBreheny) May 9, 2019
Jim Fowler Cause of Death
Jim Fowler’s cause of death was not revealed.
Celebrity Deaths 2019
Jim Fowler Nationality
He was of American nationality.
Jim Fowler Net Worth
This information is being updated.