On January 6, 1963, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom debuts. Marlin Perkins became a household name across America thanks to the popularity of his wildlife show. Perkins was born in Carthage, educated at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, and later studied at Mizzou. He began his career at the Saint Louis Zoo, left for a few years, then later returned as the zoo’s director. But from 1963 to 1988, he was the star of Wild Kingdom, where he and the show won multiple Emmy Awards and recognition for their conservation efforts.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
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