Jack Hanna

Jack Hanna (born January 2, 1947 in Knoxville, Tennessee) is Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo. He was Director of the zoo from 1978 to 1993, and is viewed as largely responsible for elevating its quality and reputation.

Hanna has received national exposure by frequently doing live animal demonstrations on the Tonight Show and both of David Letterman's talk show incarnations, as well as guesting on Larry King Live and Hollywood Squares. Hanna also occasionally contributes commentary as an animal expert on various local and national news programs.

He is the host of the syndicated television show Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures. In the early 1980s, Hanna hosted a television show called Hanna's Ark that aired locally in Columbus.