What does it take to become cinema’s most iconic lion? For Jackie, it was a lot more than just roaring on cue. Here’s how he earned the nickname 'Leo the Lucky.'
What does it take to become cinema’s most iconic lion? For Jackie, it was a lot more than justWhen you think of movie company introductions, a few iconic images likely come to mind—Disney’s magical castle, Paramount’s majestic mountain and 20th Century Fox’s symphonic trumpets. But arguably, the most recognizable of them all is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s emblematic mascot “Leo the Lion” and his fearsome roar.
Naturally, MGM needed a successor, and thus Jackie was hired. Born in the Nubian Desert of Sudan in 1915, Jackie was 13 when he began his career as MGM’s second lion. Though he bore a striking resemblance to Slats, Jackie’s on-screen debut was entirely different; he gave MGM its first roaring lion. Although it took a few takes, and it cost a few broken microphones, the result was iconic: Jackie’s roar became synonymous with MGM’s brand.
Somehow, he ended up in two cross-country train derailments, as well as a sinking ship—and survived all three, unscathed. Bizarrely, Jackie’s series of unfortunate events continued, and extended beyond travel. The pilot, Martin Jenson, survived the crash—and, miraculously, so did Jackie. Naturally, Jenson needed to find help, but this is no easy feat when stuck in the Arizona desert with a lion, with neither radio nor cell-phone technology. Jenson had no choice but to walk and find help, and to leave Jackie in his cage. He had only packed a few bottles of water and some sandwiches for his trip, all of which he left with Jackie as he searched for rescuers.
MGM Studios Lion Roaring MGM MGM Roaring Lion Leo African Lion Melvin Koontz Jackie Lion Melvin Koontz Lion Lion Cheated Death Leo MGM Lion
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