Everything that I've done in my life was to lead me to my work with the animals.

I was at the end of the studio system so when I walked into movies, I had a magnificent suite in which I had a living room and a kitchen and a complete makeup room. I had everything just for me. With the independents, you're kind of roughing it, literally.

We had a lion that was living in somebody's basement outside of Branson, Missouri.

In most states, it's more difficult to get a license for your dog than it is to buy a big cat. Right now, there are more tigers in the state of Texas than in all of India.

Self-belief? My parents gave it to me.

Animal abuse is rampant in the U.S., right under everyone's eyes, for the entertainment of the public. The brutal confinement and pain of training methods of wild animals in the circus, the aquatic and theatrical shows, leads to retaliation by the animals. Eventually they find the right time to strike out, and they will.

I had to have help getting up these stairs because I've been tackled by so many lions and tigers. Really. I'm like an old football player.