Gunther Gebel-Williams was born on September 12, 1934 in Schweidnitz, Lower Silesia, Germany as Gunther Gebel. He was an actor, known for Rings Around the World (1966), Circus World (1974) and Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 109th Edition (1979). He was married to Sigrid Neubauer and Jeanette Williams. He died on July 19, 2001 in ...
Wore long bleached-blond hair, sequined and rhinestoned costumes, and a boyish grin.
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Quote
1
You cannot tell a wild animal that he has to learn a trick today. You have to believe that he'll do it tomorrow if you spend enough time with him.
2
It's not important what you say to them. It's the tone and the way it's said. I call them by name, speak in a certain voice, and they know what I mean. They each have a different personality. [on training animals with food and voice rather than whip and chair]
3
You must become a tiger to be able to train tigers.
4
Working closely with animals - training them, understanding them, and getting across their beauty and intellegence to the people - for me, that's the best life I can have.
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Fact
1
When Gunther was twelve years old, his mother - a war widow - abandoned him at the circus, and he never saw her again.
2
He performed in the Giant Steel Cage for the last time in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 27, 1998.
3
Featured in several network television specials, including CBS-TV's "Lord of the Rings" in 1977, NBC-TV's "My Father, the Circus King" in 1981, and "The Return of Gunther Gebel-Williams," which aired on CBS-TV in 1994.
4
Performed with Asian and African elephants, tigers, leopards, lions, panthers, mountain lions, horses, goats, camels, zebras and a giraffe.
5
Inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame in 1995 for holding the record for the most performances by any entertainer in the famous arena.
6
Gebel-Williams, world renowned as The Greatest Animal Trainer of All Time, was the most celebrated and honored circus artist in history and the recipient of innumerable accolades, including the "Outstanding Circus Performer of the Year" award by the American Guild of Variety Artists in 1973.
7
Appeared in an American Express commercial with his favorite leopard, Kenny, around his shoulders.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bimbo the Great
1958
Zirkus-Artist (as Günther Gebel)
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Artist in the Circus Dome: Clueless
1968
animal trainer: elefants - as Günther Gebel-Williams
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
NBC Special Treat
1984
TV Series
Himself
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - 113th Edition
1983
TV Movie
Himself
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 109th Edition
1979
TV Movie
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1977-1978
TV Series
Himself - Animal Trainer / Himself - Lion Tamer
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 107th Edition
1977
TV Movie
Himself
Circus World
1974
Documentary short
The Animal Trainer
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1971-1973
TV Series
Himself
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 103th Edition
1973
TV Movie
Himself
V.I.P.-Schaukel
1972
TV Series documentary
Himself
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 101th Edition
1971
TV Special
Himself
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 99th Edition
1969
TV Movie
Himself
Rings Around the World
1966
Documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Här är ditt liv
1981
TV Series
Himself
Known for movies
Rings Around the World (1966) as Himself
Circus World (1974) as The Animal Trainer
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 109th Edition (1979) as Himself
Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus - 99th Edition (1969) as Himself
$16 Million
