Appeared in an American Express commercial with his favorite leopard,
Kenny, around his shoulders.
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.
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.
Performed with Asian and African elephants, tigers, leopards, lions,
panthers, mountain lions, horses, goats, camels, zebras and a
giraffe.
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.
He performed in the Giant Steel Cage for the last time in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, on September 27, 1998.