Jim Fowler (born April 9, 1932; Albany, Georgia) is a professional zoologist and was host of the Emmy Award-winning television show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.
Fowler spent his youth in the Town of Falls Church, Virginia exploring all things in nature in the stream valley of Four Mile Run near his family home. He graduated from Westtown School in 1947, a Quaker college prep school in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Fowler first served as the co-host of Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins, and then became the main host in 1986. While Fowler was serving as host of Wild Kingdom, he received four separate Emmy awards and an endorsement by the National PTA for family viewing.
Fowler was the official wildlife correspondent for NBC's The Today Show since 1988 and also regularly seen on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, making forty appearances in total as he brought various wildlife animals on the show.
In 1997, Fowler joined Discovery Communication's Animal Planet as a wildlife expert and later launched the television program Jim Fowler's Life in the Wild in 2000.
Awards
- In 1991, Earlham College recognized Fowler for his distinguished career with an Outstanding Alumni Award.
- In 1995, the Global Communications for Conservation (GCC) organization presented Fowler with the 1995 Safari Planet Earth award for his "outstanding achievements in caring for our The National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc., also awarded him with its highest achievement award, the Gold Seal, in recognition of his contributions to environmental causes.
- In 1998, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) presented Fowler with their first-ever Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of his strong support and on-going commitment to the environment.
- In 2003, Fowler was the recipient of the Lindbergh Award for his 40 years of dedication to wildlife preservation and education.
Quotes
"The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans. Our challenge for the future is that we realize we are very much a part of the earth's ecosystem, and we must learn to respect and live according to the basic biological laws of nature." â€" Jim Fowler
"Almost all of the social tragedies occurring around the world today are caused by ignoring the basic biological laws of nature ... The quicker we humans learn that saving open space and wildlife is critical to our welfare and quality of life, maybe we'll start thinking of doing something about it." â€" Jim Fowler
References
- Interview with Jim Fowler conducted September 2, 1997 by the Weekly Wire
- Interview with Jim Fowler conducted October 9, 2001
- Hall of Fame: Jim Fowler (media.johnnycarson.com)
- Return of a Television Legend (animalplanet.com)
- Jim Fowler profile on TV Tome
External links
- Biography of Jim Fowler provided by wildkingdom.com
- Jim Fowler at the Internet Movie Database