Date of Birth 9 April 1931, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Height 5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Bio (1)

Ralph Helfer was born in Chicago, Illinois and even as child he knew he wanted to live in Africa, work with exotic animals and have an African Lion for a friend. He even pledged his life to a crusade against animal cruelty. In 1942 Ralph's Mother left her husband Sam then took him and his sister Sally Ann to Hollywood, California where they settled in the Green Apartments, one block off Hollywood Boulevard. There they he met his best friend Carol Burnett.

The Hollywood trainers of that time brought their animals in with steel-barred cages then used the fear and intimidation of whips, guns and chairs to beating their animals into control. Because of their cruel treatment Ralph was almost killed stunt doubling for an actor in a scene that involved an African lion called Rex. Prior to the scene his trainer enraged Rex so much he wanted revenge on any one so unfortunately he took it out on Ralph, which hospitalized him for a while because of the severe mauling he received from that lion.

Ralph was determined to completely change the way animals were treated in Hollywood by using his own training philosophy called "Affection Training" which was Love, Patience, Understanding and Respect. The trainers of the time laughed at the methods that Ralph was going to use but he was going to prove them wrong.

In 1955 with his Sister Sally Ann's help he purchased a two-acre piece of property in Van Nuys, California to train animals he named "Nature's Haven: Wild Animal Rentals". There he slowly built his collection of animals including raccoons, various monkeys, deer, hawks and a variety of snakes. Finally Ralph's greatest wish came true, his lion was coming because on a three week Safari in Africa two of Ralph's friends Jack and Brini while traveling through Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya photographing the Cape buffalos, African lions, rhinos, elephants and leopards they found one.

While Jack and Brini were on the Zambezi River they found this exhausted orphaned lion cub that would have never lasted another hour if they didn't take him in and nurse back to health. They named him Zamba after the river they found him, Brini was sorry to give him up because she got very attached to the lion cub, but they both knew Ralph was the right person to give Zamba too. Ralph was not only going to use his "Affection Training" technique to raise this cub but he was going to make Zamba feel like one of the family. On his ranch Zamba grew into a magnificent animal and Ralph had formed a very special bond with him so much that he trusted with everyone including small children. Zamba's good nature and gentle disposition became well known, and they received calls from charitable organizations asking if he come and help raised funds for a variety of worthwhile causes, he was also used in many Hollywood Movies and Television series.

Ralph often worked on the television show The Pet Set (1971) with his Dear friend Betty White and whenever she needed an animal on the show, she would call him and Ralph would bring over whichever animal fit the circumstances including Zamba.

In 1960 Ralph got a call from Twentieth Century-Fox studio because they heard he had lions. They were making a film that required a lion to work with a small child and they wondered if he could provide one. Samuel G. Engel the producer of the film "The Lion (1962)", put out a call for a full-grown lion to star in the film they were going to make in Africa. What Ralph loved more than the idea of Africa were his lions, and the opportunity to see those two passions intersect was incredible.

Pamela Franklin the little girl actress that Zamba was going to star with in the film was a vibrant, bright little lady and when Ralph first introduced Zamba to her she just captured both their hearts immediately. Pamela got along so famously with Zamba that she even helped take care of him while they were in Africa. Ralph also took his other lion Zamba Jr. not only to double for the star in certain shots but he could also play another lion. He even took his lioness Tammy for a scene with Zamba.

While Ralph and Zamba were in Nairobi, Kenya filming the movie, they stayed at the magnificent "Mount Kenya Safari Club" which was owned by actor William Holden and his business partners'. There they met Pippa, his guide and interpreter where they developed a great relationship.

Pippa was a rusty red haired pale and slightly freckled face woman with a low arresting British voice. Her smile was incredibly warm that lit up her entire face. Ralph found out that she was third-generation Kenyan.

Originally the movie was to take six months to finish but it took a year to complete because it was delayed because of the worst rain in thirty years.

While Ralph and Zamba were in Kenya they had their own adventures and it had the most profound effect on both of them.

Many dignitaries came to see Ralph so they could have their pictures taken with Zamba: the mayor, some very wealthy conservationists and nearby landowners, the chief of police, and some military big shots as well. Ralph and Pippa even took Zamba to see a Native Medicine Man deep in the heart of Kenya before he left. But to finally complete the film Ralph needed to dress up as a Massai Warrior and do a wrestling scene with Zamba.

In 1962 Ralph returned to California from Africa a much wiser man, then some time after his return he married Toni Helfer. Ralph met Toni just before he left for Africa and they had a short but passionate relationship. Toni was very extraordinary woman, she attended college, modeled professionally, highly spiritual, and she could hold her own conversation with some of the most learned religious scholars. What impressed Ralph the most was her tremendous kindness and compassion, which allowed her to empathize completely with all the exotic animals they lived and worked with.

Then in June 1963 they had their daughter, Tana Helfer, named after a river in Kenya, which Ralph said was, and is, one of the greatest blessings God has bestowed on me! She inherited her mother's beauty, inner and outer, and her incredible smile immediately transmitted her love of life to everyone-animal or human-who ever came in contact with her.

But soon their property was cut in half by the Antelope Valley Freeway so they had to relocate to Soledad Canyon where they bought 600 acres of land to build their new ranch and they decided to name it "Africa U.S.A" because of the large number of African animals that were being filmed. In a short time Africa, U.S.A. became the largest animal rental company in the world that provided even more Exotic animals for the movies and television. Along with Zamba, were Ralph's Indian Elephants Modoc, Taj, Debbie, and Misty, Clarence the Cross Eyed Lion, Bruno The Bear, Judy the Chimpanzee, C.J. the Orangutan. Manis the Orangutan and many, many more who were to become famous animal movie stars.

People who should never have had them in the first place donated many of their own exotic animals to Africa U.S.A., a group of lions, tigers, bears and leopards.

Ralph became the most highly revered and trusted animal trainer in Hollywood. Even Walt Disney hired Ralph to provide exotic animals like his two Bengal Tigers Serang, Sultan and others for many of his movies and television series.

Because of Ralph's "Affection Training" his exotic animals were awarded over twenty-two "PATSY Awards", the highest honor given to an animal that performs in television and movie business.

In January 1969, Africa U.S.A. was devastated by a powerful storm that caused terrible mudslides, this resulted in severe flooding and it was the largest flood that had ever been recorded over the Soledad Canyon region.

The Helfer family as well as the other trainers who worked for them had to struggle through two days and nights of unbelievable havoc and terror, trying desperately to salvage what they could of their ranch.

These torrential flooding's killed 20 of the 1,500 exotic animals at Ralph's ranch. Luckily help came from everywhere, the highways were soon lined with cars and other people were walking three miles over the hills to bring supplies of hot food and drinks to them.

By four the next morning, some twenty people had, by one method or another, made it over to help them. Charley and Madeline Franks, two loyal helpers, kept hot chili coming, and must have dished out hundreds of meals.

Even people from the Humane Society, Fish and Game, Animal Regulation, and the SPCA all helped to comfort and tend the animals.

After every thing they've built Ralph had to start all over again.

He then created another company and Animal training park called "Gentle Jungle". Based on 55-acre ranch in Colton, California, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles once the home of the old Gene Holter Movieland Animal Park. This ranch was home to for about 500 exotic and domestic animals that appeared in movies and television series.

The Gentle Jungle Affection Training School was a three-phase program that took 22 weeks to complete. By the early 1980's about 2,000 people graduated from his Affection Training School and many of his graduates went into animal work since they took his course.

Then in 1972 Ralph bought out "Marine World" when it went bankrupt, a 66-acre theme park in Redwood City, California then added a wildlife park and "Jungle Theater," renaming the park as "Marine World/Africa U.S.A." but because of the increase in the value of the property the park occupied it became too great a tax burden so eventually in 1986 they moved "Marine World/Africa U.S.A." to Vallejo, California but in 1998, the park officially became part of the Six Flags chain.

He also was a partner and chairman in a small Buena Park, California, theme park called "Enchanted Village," which was built on the site of the defunct Japanese Village and Deer Park amusement attraction. Enchanted Village had the Lost Island Theater, Amazon Cliff Divers, Bridge of Enchantment, Gentle Jungle Theater, Wilderness Theater and Tiger Arena. It was also the home to a variety of fascinating animals, including giraffes and Oliver "The Human Chimp.") But this park went bankrupt in the fall of 1977.

Later in 1982 the Gentle Jungle Affection Training School moved again to "Lion Country Safari", in Laguna Hills, California, which closed down 1984 because it was investigated by United States Department of Agriculture where an eventual lawsuit against Helfer for Animal Welfare Act violations.

Ralph Helfer was cleared of all accusations except one, which was sent to the supreme court, which was meant to deal with the death of a tiger, who died due to a veterinarian over dosing the tiger, it never got to the supreme court as that would be the same as blaming a child's death on a parent who took their child to a doctor who miss-administrated drugs to the child.

Ralph Helfer finally left the business due to the imminent financial pressure of the wrongful suit.

In the 1990s, he began a successful career as writer. Most of his books are non fiction life stories of famous animals.

He now lives in Kenya, with his wife, Suzzi Mutua Helfer, where he leads safari tours with his company Eden International Safaris and Treks.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Ian McKendell

Spouse (2)

Toni Helfer (10 November 1962 - ?) (divorced) (1 child)

Suzzi Mutua Helfer (? - present)

Trade Mark (6)

African Lion Zamba

Indian Elephant Modoc

Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion

Judy the Chimpanzee

Manis the Orangutan and C.J. the Orangutan

Bruno The Bear (a.k.a. Gentle Ben)

Trivia (53)

Has a sister Sally Ann Helfer.

Father of Tana Helfer and Grandfather to her 3 daughters.

Creator of "Marine World/Africa U.S.A." in California; this later became Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

Has authored several compassionate books about animals: "Mosey", "Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived", "Zamba: The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived" and "The Beauty of the Beasts: Tales of Hollywood's Animal Stars".

Is a renowned animal trainer and Hollywood animal behaviorist.

Comedienne Carol Burnett grew up in the same apartment building where Ralph's family came to live when they first moved to California and was his best friend.

Lives in Kenya, East Africa where he leads safari tours' with the company he founded called "Eden International Safaris and Treks.".

His Bengal Tigers were used in Esso and Exxon Oil Company commercials.

His Cougar was used in the Mercury Cougar automobile commercials.

When Ralph and Carol Burnett were kids they would play Tarzan and Jane. But Carol could always do the Tarzan yell better then Ralph.

Had a giraffe named Twigga he saddle-broke to ride. Who was ridden by Rex Harrison in the movie Doctor Dolittle (1967).

His animals have won twenty-two "PATSY Awards".

Became good friends with Mae West and her sister Beverly Arden by taking off their hands a chimpanzee they called Coffee.

Met Mabel Stark, the most famous female tiger tamer ever. When Ralph volunteered at Jungleland U.S.A., a private zoo, animal training facility, and animal theme park in Thousand Oaks, California.

He did over 2300 animal related performances from stage, movie and television appearances.

Dear friends with Betty White and provided many of his exotic animals for her television show The Pet Set (1971).

Is an avid equestrian.

Helped raise funds for a variety of charitable organizations, many of them involved children, like the March of Dimes, Red Cross, and many more.

Many Hollywood celebrities like Elvis Presley, William Holden, Debra Paget, John Agar, John Russell, Sabu, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Betty White, Allen Ludden, William Shatner, Bo Derek, John Derek, Sonny Bono, Cher and Ralph's childhood friend Carol Burnett not only made weekend visits to Africa U.S.A. Exotic Animal Ranch in Soledad Canyon, California but were regular visitor who came to play with the animals and pitch in with the chores.

Debra Paget donated her Chimpanzee named Lord Murphy as well as a mischievous Golden Gibbon she named Haji Baba that she also owned.

Created Affection Training.

Provided many of the animals for Walt Disney movies.

His Africa U.S.A. Ranch in Soledad Canyon, California became the world's largest exotic animal rental company.

First met Toni Helfer when she came to Ralph's "Nature's Haven" Ranch in Van Nuys, California bring two orphan bear cubs she saved while camping with her father Scotty and her sister Stevie in the Sequoia National Park.

Founded "The Gentle Jungle Affection Training School" in Colton, California.

Partnered in "Lion Country Safari" a drive-through zoo in Irvine, California.

Had a German Shepard named Prince.

Has developed and filmed three television series: Daktari (1966), Gentle Ben (1967) and Cowboy in Africa (1967).

Married Toni Helfer when he came back from Nairobi, Kenya after filming the movie The Lion (1962).

Grew up in the Green Apartments, one block off Hollywood Boulevard.

Took in hundreds of orphaned Exotic Animals donated to Ralph's Africa U.S.A. Ranch in Soledad Canyon, California by people who brought them in from all over the World that got to large for their owners' to handle. Soon it came to the point they couldn't take in anymore but many were still left at the gate.

Partner and chairman in a small Buena Park, California, theme park called Enchanted Village, which was built on the site of the defunct Japanese Village and Deer Park amusement attraction.

Ralph helped a troubled youth by taking him into his "Nature's Haven: Wild Animal Rentals" in Van Nuys, California and gave him a job taking care of the animals to help straighten him out.

Survived a lion attack when he got his first job in Hollywood doubled for an actor doing a movie for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer because prior to the take the animal trainer kept enraging his lion he called Rex.

Owned the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull: Clyde.

Celebrities Ralph met: Mabel Stark, Iron Eyes Cody, Joy Adamson, Billie Burke, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, Liberace, William Holden, Amanda Blake, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Pamela Franklin, Trevor Howard, Capucine, Lana Turner, Jerry Lewis, Richard Burton, Trevor Howard, Barbara Eden, Tony Randall, Shirley Jones, Chuck Connors, John Wayne, Burt Lancaster, Barbara Carrera, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe, Shirley Temple, Danny Kaye, Brooke Shields, Sonny Bono, Cher, Clint Eastwood, Bo Derek, John Derek, Stefanie Powers, Pat Boone, Carol Burnett, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, Mike Connors, Allen Ludden, Walt Disney, Johnny Weissmuller, Elvis Presley, Debra Paget, Mae West, John Agar, John Russell, Sabu, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, William Shatner, Clint Howard, Dennis Weaver, Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas.

When Elvis Presley made weekend visits to the Africa U.S.A. Exotic Animal Ranch in Soledad Canyon, California, his favorite animal was a Chimpanzee named Coffee that once belonged Mae West and her sister Beverly Arden.

Owned and trained a Raccoon named Bandit that Marilyn Monroe got very attached to while filming the movie River of No Return (1954).

Became friends with Marilyn Monroe while they were working together in the movie River of No Return (1954).

One of his other chimpanzees' Evie (short for Evolution), played the robot dog Muffit in the TV Series Battlestar Galactica (1978).

Judy the Chimpanzee played "Debbie the Bloop", Penny Robinson's alien pet in the TV Series Lost in Space (1965).

Jerry Lewis got Ralph barred from working at Paramount Pictures for six months until he was finished his movie The Ladies Man (1961) because he got in his face and yelled at him.

Owned a Jaguar he named Raunchy.

Was the only other person who could ride his wife's Toni Helfer, stallion King.

Proposed to Toni Helfer by mail while he was in Kenya filming the movie The Lion (1962).

Was once allergic to cats.

William Shatner had hoped to wrestle Ralph's Tiger in Star Trek: Shore Leave (1966), but was convinced it would not be a wise decision.

Together Ralph and his wife Toni Helfer nursed back to health a black stallion they thought was the legendary Highland Dale who was the horse from the Television Series Fury (1955) but he was really was one of the doubles for the stallion.

Before Ralph bought his ranch he had a Pet Store called "Nature's Haven." where Iron Eyes Cody made an appearance for it's opening.

When Carol Burnett made her weekend visits to Africa U.S.A. she and Ralph would ride double on his Indian Elephant Modoc.

Shirley Temple was bitten on the finger by a baby alligator that belonged to Ralph.

When Ralph and Toni Helfer were on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands where they were filming The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) they met John Wayne who came to set to visit Burt Lancaster. While they were there two of their black Leopards bred and gave birth on location.

Owned a Eagle he named Torak.

Personal Quotes (7)

Love: a total commitment to each other. Patience: an infinite amount. Understanding: so we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. Respect: so we don't take advantage of each other.

My daughter Tana was, and is, one of the greatest blessings God has bestowed on me, and I feel that she, like her mother, was brought to earth to share her life with animals. She inherited her mother's beauty, inner and outer, and her incredible smile immediately transmits her love to everyone-animal or human-who comes in contact with her.

When man chooses to develop his innate power of communication with nature and therefore hear the voice, all will be right with the world - we will be as one. What you have been able to do with your Modoc is what man has been seeking for a long time. To communicate with nature through animals.

Remember, the moon is reflected in one drop of water as it is the entire ocean - so it is with God. He is reflected in each living thing - in a grain of sand as the entire shore, one star as the whole universe. Each animal as in all creatures.

A good teacher teaches what he has been taught. A wise one teaches what he has learned.

One of the most special moments in my career occurred on the day that Johnny Weissmuller, the greatest 'Tarzan' (Character) of them all, came out to the ranch to work with some of my elephants for a film he was doing. He was very impressed with our training methods.

Lack of fear is just as dangerous as fear itself-which is, of course, lack of understanding. And the moment you understand, you can't fear.

Salary (1)

The Lion (1962) $75,000