Debut of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom

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.


December 31, 1928

Marlin Perkins, host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and director of the St. Louis Zoo, was bitten by a Gaboon viper and became one of only a few people to ever survive such a bite.