Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom co-host/zoologist Jim Fowler died at his home in Rowayton, Connecticut on Wednesday (May 8), as per an announcement from the show's website. He was 89.
"Fowler, who appeared on Wild Kingdom beginning with the pilot episode on January 6, 1963, was never one to shy away from danger," read a message in honor of the TV star on the site. "Whether hanging out of a helicopter, bluffing a herd of elephants or wrestling an anaconda, he was always in the midst of the action." He is survived by his wife, Betsey Fowler, and his two children, Mark and Carrie. Wild Kingdom is a nature program that aired from 1963 until 1988, before it was revived in 2002. Fowler co-hosted the show with his friend, Marlin Perkins.
While TV audiences became aquainteWhile TV audiences became acquainted with Fowler on the series, he also appeared "more than 100 times on the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, where the two became great friends." He also appeared on shows like Merv Griffin Show, Mike Douglas Show and even served as the wildlife correspondent for NBC’s Today show.
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