A fearless pioneer
& visionary.
Monty Cox is an internationally known, award-winning exotic animal trainer, director, stunt coordinator, stuntman — and world record-holder skydiver.
A fearless pioneer & visionary
Monty Cox is an Internationally known, award-winning Exotic Animal Trainer; Director; Stunt Coordinator; Stuntman.and world record-holder skydiver.
Train with Monty — from anywhere in the world
Eight short video lessons, 3–6 minutes each, teaching the exact methods Monty has used on lions, tigers, bears, and baboons for over 50 years. Every lesson opens with a free preview — unlock the full course with a single one-time purchase.
Digital Training CourseClippings from the road.
Original newspaper coverage of a career spent teaching lions to walk on leashes, bears to shop for lettuce, and stuntmen to wrestle crocodiles.
Tribune · By Lynn SimpsonFrom Candy to Lettuce
"Unlike bears that eat people, Ben seemed more of the teddy bear type — I followed his trainers on the famous bear's dinner shopping trip."
Associated Press (AP) · PeoriaClarence the Cross-Eyed Lion' Is Dead
"His trainer, Monty Cox, announced his death yesterday in Peoria... Cause of death was given as gastric disorders and blood poisoning. Cox said he had taken Clarence for a walk Saturday."
Huntington Press · By Mark SchulzJudy The Chimp Star Of TV Series
"Judy obeyed Monty's commands with immediate response when he asked her to shake hands... Monty now trains about 50 animals including those in the 'Cowboy in Africa' and 'Gentle Ben' series."
Oregon Production · Location NewsMovie Makers Begin Shooting
"Three lions, two bears, two cougars and a rooster are also being handled by Stewart Raffill and his animal trainers, his father, Joe, and Monty Cox."
By Clay Gowran · Ersatz AfricaTV Tigers Tussle in Ersatz Africa
"A 180-pound man was being knocked down repeatedly by a 250-pound Bengal tigress. 'Boy, she's hitting me like a cement truck,' Monte Cox kept saying, happily."
Press ArchivePress-Telegram · February 1, 1989Scene on the Queen
"Stuntman Monte Cox wrestles a 9-foot crocodile Tuesday in the Queen Mary's swimming pool for a scene from the forthcoming NBC-TV movie BayWatch."
OCA Interview Animal Movies and Action Men
"Following negotiations, I flew to Miami to become the animal coordinator on Gentle Ben. Now, Gentle Ben had attacked their previous coordinator... Hence, I was sent to Florida to 'fix the bear'."
CBS Feature · Ch. 2 DaktariLiving Dangerously
"Wrestling a 400-pound tiger is what trainer Monte Cox is doing for a scene in 'Daktari'... LOVE is a many striped thing when Penda, a Bengal tiger, gets together with his attendant, Monte Cox."
Beverly Hilton · Bachelors' BallParty Going Tiger
"Bachelors' Ball chairman Jeffrey Peterson had a few surprises up his sleeve... including stationing Gombe the tiger where a receiving line would normally stand in the ballroom foyer."
Peoria Journal · Heart of IllinoisClarence, Cross Eyed Lion, Dies
"Clarence was the best natured lion in the world. Children could sit on his back, He played with all species of baby animals and also with Judy. He was never dangerous."
Staff Feature · By Geri ReynoldsBen, You've Lost a Loyal Fan
"Gentle Ben attacked him. Bear and young man engaged in ferocious battle, tumbling from one end of the stage to the other... No amount of explaining by his mother could convince the crying boy that it was only an act."
TV Press Feature · Evening Stroll'Gentle Ben' Trainer Bears No Burden
"I got into a cage with five lions, two tigers, two leopards and two jaguars. I crouched on the floor and ran around with the cats chasing me. Then I leaped straight up, and the 11 cats came up after me."
The Rangefinder · By Joyce YoungBig Cats Opened the Door to Commercials
"Gambi liked the taste, I guess, because he opened his mouth wide — four-inch teeth and all — and clamped it over my shoulder... Monty responded in a split second and spoke softly, 'Leave it!'"
Times Photo · ArchiveClarence, the Cross-eyed Lion
"He played the title role in a 1964 film, 'Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion,' and later starred in the television series, 'Daktari.' His trainer, Monty Cox, said Clarence appeared to be in good health."
Chronicle-Tribune'Star' Visits Here
"Judy, the eight-year-old ex-star of the television series, 'Daktari,' stopped in Marion... Traveling to a state fair engagement with her trainer Monty Cox, and another handler, Susan Backlinie."
Suburban Times · Walt DisneyTimes Classified & Major the Lion
"Walt Disney Productions 'NAPOLEON and SAMANTHA' starring Michael Douglas, Will Geer... Meet 2 determined children and a lovable lion named Major as they set out for exciting adventures."
Suburban Times · Walt DisneyTimes Classified & Major the Lion
"Walt Disney Productions 'NAPOLEON and SAMANTHA' starring Michael Douglas, Will Geer... Meet 2 determined children and a lovable lion named Major as they set out for exciting adventures."
A legendary person with legendary tales.
Monty Cox is a film and television professional with a career of 40 plus years in front of and behind the camera. He is a Master Trainer/Handler, Coordinator, an internationally-recognized animal expert known for his contribution to animals working in the entertainment industry from the Las Vegas gala-extravaganza, "Siegfried and Roy" to the much beloved "Gentle Ben".
Monty is also a 2nd Unit Director; Stunt Coordinator; and Stuntman. He owned and trained the ONLY Liberty Lion in the world - The Giant. His award-winning exotic animal work includes action scenes, fights, and stunt attacks with exotics: APOCALYPSE NOW; GAMBLER 2; BIRD ON A WIRE; GENTLE BEN; DAKTARI; & COWBOY IN AFRICA. His career also included live shows, most notably SIEGFRIED & ROY IN Las Vegas. He owned/trained the EXXON TIGERS, creating the commercial branding for the company, and has created numerous memorable animal commercials including KAL-KAN, LINCOLN-MERCURY, FABERGE, and SUBWAY.
In Apocalypse Now, Monty Cox was largely responsible for the moment that made me become a film maker.
Chris Carter
The X Files
