Jack Hanna Biography
Jack Hanna is a passionate wildlife expert and conservationist from the United States. He has worn many hats, including those of an animal expert, zoologist, scientist, philanthropist, journalist, and TV personality. He is currently employed as the ‘Director Emeritus of Columbus Zoo & Aquarium’.
Jack Hanna Age
Jack was born Jack Bushnell Hanna in Knoxville, Tennessee United States of America on January 2, 1947. He is 76 years old as of January 2023.
Jack Hanna Education
In Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, he attended the Kiski All Boys boarding school. Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, awarded him a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. He studied business and political science.
Jack Hanna Height
He stands at a height of 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall.
Jack Hanna Family- Parents
Jack was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. His father owned a farm outside Knoxville.
Jack Hanna Wife- Daughter
He met his life partner Suzi Egli during graduation and got married. The two are proud parents to three daughters, Julie Hanna, Kathleen Hanna, and Suzanne Hanna.
Jack Hanna Health- Disease
Hanna’s family announced in April 2021 that he had been diagnosed with dementia, later determined to be Alzheimer’s disease, and would no longer make public appearances. “His condition has progressed much faster in the last few months than any of us could have anticipated,” his daughters said.
Jack Hanna Career
After closing the pet shop in 1973, Jack became a director at the Central Florida Zoo. He left the profession in 1975 to take care of family responsibilities. He became executive director of Columbus Zoo two years later, in 1978. He worked around the clock to raise funds and public awareness for the zoo. Due to conflicting schedules, he resigned as ‘Director Emeritus in 1992. From 1981 to 1983, he hosted “Hanna’s Ark,” a local television show that aired on WBNS, Columbus’ CBS affiliate. His appearances on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘David Letterman’s talk show’ brought him national attention and increased Columbus Zoo attendance by over 400%.
He appeared with zoo animals on the show ‘Larry King Live’ in 1988. This year, he also released his first book, ‘Monkeys on the Interstate,’ which chronicles his adventures and work at Columbus Zoo. ‘Let’s Go to the Petting Zoo with Jack Hanna’ was published in 1991. He has hosted a number of syndicated television shows, including ‘Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures (1993–2008), ‘Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild’ 2007, and ‘Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown’ 2011. In 1996, he published Jack Hanna’s Ultimate Guide to Pets, Jungle Jack Hanna’s Pocketful of Bugs, and Jungle Jack Hanna’s Safari Adventure. In 1996, he and Emmy-award-winning musician Mark Frye released an album called ‘Jack Hanna’s World’ on Virgin Records.
Thomas Nelson Publishing House released his books ‘Jungle Jack: My Wild Life,’ ‘Passport Into the Wild,’ ‘Romp, Stomp, Waddle Home,’ and ‘Wackiest, Wildest, Weirdest Animals of the World’ in 2008. In 2007, he debuted a new TV series called ‘Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild,’ in which he travels around the world to explore cultures and wildlife. This program received three Emmy nominations. Since 2011, ABC has aired a highly-rated Saturday morning program called “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown.” Other shows on which he has appeared as a wildlife correspondent include Anderson Cooper 360°, Piers Morgan Tonight, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Maury Show, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News & CNN programs, and various other news programs.
He is also supporting many other conservation projects such as ‘save the elephants, ‘Cheetah conservation fund’ & ‘rolling dog farm’. He also appeared with a few exotic animals in Neal McCoy’s 2005 music video for “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On.” Currently, he is affiliated with the boards of ‘The International Center for Preservation of Wild Animals’, ‘The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project’, ‘Partners in Conservation’ & ‘SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund’.
Jack Hanna’s Net Worth
Hanna has an estimated net worth of 7 million dollars as of 2023.