GUNTHER GEBEL-WILLIAMS

[NOTE: The following article was originally presented in 1990, in the program book for the 119th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth. The 119th Edition will forever be remembered as Gunther Gebel-Williams' farewell tour.]

Lord of the Rings ... King of the Jungle ... The Golden Gladiator ... Caesar of the Circus!

Presenting Gunther Gebel-Williams -- the master of the menagerie, the legend that lives, the most brilliant wild animal trainer in the world -- in his fabulous farewell performance with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Gunther and his ferocious felines, preeminent pachyderms and heroic horses have electrified audiences for 20 excitement-filled years. This edition marks the closing of his Circus chapter as the supreme charismatic champion of the Big Top. For the last time, he'll manifest mastery over his tempestuous Bengal tigers, his amazing elephants and capricious liberty horses. You'll discover why this wizard of the wild was the three-time winner of the Ernst Renke-Plaskett Award -- the highest honor bestowed by the Circus world on one of their own.

The mystery and magic of Gunther Gebel-Williams has grown through the years. But behind his superstar splendor, his uncanny kinship with his cats, his incredibly casual command and his exhilarating energy is a man devoted to his family. He is a true friend to his comrades and a tireless, cheerful perfectionist whose seemingly perpetual motion includes a deep love and commitment to others. We invite you to celebrate the tremendous talents of this tiger-training titan and to cherish this very special tribute to a true modern-day hero -- Ladies and Gentlemen -- Gunther Gebel-Williams!

Gunther Gebel-Williams has the intimacy with and understanding of his charges of a man born to the Circus life. But, amazingly, that was not the case. Instead, he is the embodiment of a rags-to-riches fable.

Born in the small town of Schweidnitz, now a part of Poland, he and the Circus found each other after World War II in Cologne, Germany. It was love at first sight. It was here, at the Circus Williams, that Gunther -- age 12 -- discovered the joys and rewards of a Big Top. Harry Williams, the Circus owner, quickly recognized Gunther's natural talents and took him on as a student -- and a friend. Under his tutelage, Gunther learned Circus skills from acrobatics to animal training. When Harry Williams was tragically killed during a performance, Gunther took over both the leadership of the Circus and, as a sign of respect, the Williams' family name.

Under the superb guidance of this young and gifted entertainer, the Circus Williams flourished and toured throughout Europe. Gunther trained all the animals, performed in each show and managed the business -- an awesome responsibility. Little did he know that his renown was spreading farther than he had ever dreamed.

And on a fateful day in 1968, Gunther's world was changed forever.

It was at the height of Gunther’s success that Irvin Feld, new owner of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, vowed to sign him as the headliner for The Greatest Show On Earth. After exhaustive negotiations and international commuting, Mr. Feld was successful. But, because of Gunther’s great loyalty to the Circus Williams, Mr. Feld had to buy the entire Circus -- for $2 million -- to gain its star.

Gunther Gebel-Williams made his sensational American debut in 1969 in the 99th Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth. From that moment on, his star has continued to rise -- and shine! Each season Gunther has created new and more sensational acts, each one topping the last. He was the first to bring together -- in one cage -- three different, antagonistic species: snarling tigers, giant horses and mammoth African elephants! He left audiences in utter amazement by riding the ring with an uncaged tiger atop an elephant. He brought together 15 leopards, three panthers and two pumas in the same cage -- where he lay down among them as they swarmed over his body. These incredible acts, and more, won him the 1973 “Outstanding Circus Performer of the Year” award from the American Guild of Variety Artists.

Today, Gunther Gebel-Williams, together with his wife, Sigrid, daughter, Tina, and son, Mark, make up the Gebel-Williams team. Each year, Gunther continues to prove himself the world’s greatest Circus performer by training more different types of wild animals than any other person in history. His unparalleled accomplishments will always stand as the paradigm of performance art -- a magnificent meld of talent, bravery, showmanship and pure genius.

He is, unquestionably, The Greatest Wild Animal Trainer of All Time!