Jack Hanna performs at the Napa Valley Opera House for two afternoon shows on Sunday, Dec 2. Photo submitted.
ungle Jack” Hanna, author, conservationist and television personality, imports his unique brand of entertainment to the Napa Valley Opera House for two afternoon shows on Sunday, Dec. 2.
Both performances will include special guests from the animal kingdom; informative and exciting video presentations; a question and answer period; and an opportunity for a family of four to win a Safari West overnight stay, dinner and safari drive.
“We have been making appearances all over the country to help people of all ages learn more about animal conservation in a fun way,” Hanna said during a phone interview last week. “I prefer to appear in places like the Napa Opera House because its smaller setting is the perfect way to really connect with everyone in the audience.”
Hanna first became interested in working with animals in Knoxville,Tenn., when at the age of 11 he started assisting his family’s veterinarian. After graduating from college, he and his new wife, Suzi, opened a popular pet shop. His dream of working in a zoo led him to a position at the Central Florida Zoo in 1973. Five years later, Hanna became director of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, where he overcame low attendance rates and out-dated animal habitats by producing entertaining events, increasing the zoo’s profile and fundraising.
Hanna’s acute sense of public relations caught the eye of “Good Morning America’s” producers, who invited Hanna to appear on the show in 1983. He has been a regular on the show ever since, sharing both his knowledge of wildlife and the animals that act as lovable ambassadors. Two years later, Hanna made his debut on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” where he continues to appear several times a year. His boundless enthusiasm and informative, almost breathless chatter led to his presence on shows such as “Larry King Live,” “Entertainment Tonight” and even “Hollywood Squares.”
In 1993, Hanna began a worldwide quest to learn about wildlife and shared his adventures with his viewers through his nationally syndicated television series, “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures.” His latest endeavor is “Into the Wild,” which is scheduled to premiere locally on KRON in a few months. The high-definition show will feature remarkable animals, breath-taking scenery and wildlife education filmed in locations all around the world in an unscripted, reality television format.
“I’m so excited about ‘Into the Wild’ because my whole family is involved and we’ll be taking folks from the airport to where we’re staying and eating to the areas where they will see many amazing animals in exotic locations,” enthused Hanna. “After this tour ends, we’re headed to film an episode in Rwanda that will feature the endangered and rare mountain gorillas. Soon after that we’re off to film in Australia, the Fiji Islands and the Gallipolis Islands are definitely on the horizon.”
Today Hanna is Director Emeritus at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, having resigned his post as director in 1992 because of his increasing popularity as both talk show guest and wildlife correspondent. He and his wife have three grown daughters, one of whom, Julie, works as an animal educator for the zoo her father transformed. When not touring, which takes up some 200 days a year, filming his new series and making media appearances, Hanna enjoys a quiet home life in central Ohio with his wife and dogs.
The Napa Opera House is at 1030 Main St. in Napa. Tickets for the Sunday, Dec. 2 shows at 2 and 5 p.m. are $25 – $30 and may be purchased by calling 707.226.7372 or online at www.nvoh.org. You can learn more about Jack Hanna and “Into the Wild” at www.jackhanna.com.
