Buzz
Metro-Goldwyn Mayer's iconic mascot isn't just represented by one lion—it's the collective legacy of five magnificent lions. Here's a glimpse into their extraordinary journey.
Slats (1917–1928)
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Slats, born at the Dublin Zoo, was the first lion to represent MGM. Before becoming part of MGM’s legacy, he appeared in the logo of the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, a symbol chosen by designer Howard Dietz to honor his alma mater, Columbia University, and its sports teams, the Lions. Trained by Hollywood’s top animal handler, Volney Phifer, Slats and Phifer toured the nation to promote the studio’s debut. Their bond grew strong, and when Slats passed away in 1936, Phifer had the lion's body sent to his farm and buried it there, marking the grave with a granite stone and a pine tree to “hold down the lion’s spirit.”
Jackie (1928-1956)
Known as 'Leo,' Jackie made headlines in 1927 when he was featured in a modified Ryan Brougham airplane, ready to take on a transcontinental flight. Photo Courtesy ofJackie was the first MGM lion to 'speak' through the power of sound, thanks to the gramophone. He roared in the opening of MGM's first-ever sound film, White Shadows in the South Seas. Coming from a family of performing animals, Jackie’s mother, Stubby, was a member of a performance troupe, and his grandmother, Mamie, was one of the first animals to appear on film in the U.S. Jackie’s career went far beyond the roar in the studio logo, making appearances in over 100 films.
Jackie had a reputation for surviving the unimaginable. He endured two train wrecks, an earthquake, a boat sinking, a studio explosion, and even a plane crash, which left him stranded in the Arizona wilderness for days (pilot Martin Jenson had left him with some snacks while seeking help). For his resilience, he earned the nickname 'Leo the Lucky.'
Jackie, rescued after the plane crash. Photo Courtesy ofJackie may not have been the most handsome lion, with trainer Melvin Koontz describing him as 'the ugliest cat you had ever seen.' However, he had a soft spot for other felines. One night, an alley cat and her kittens took shelter in Jackie's cage, and when Koontz discovered them later, the kittens were drenched from Jackie’s affectionate grooming.
In 1931, Jackie retired from his MGM career and moved to the Philadelphia Zoo. He passed away in February 1935 after struggling with a heart condition for several months. How exactly Jackie's body ended up with a Los Angeles taxidermist is unclear—it's likely part myth, but the skin was eventually preserved and sold to McPherson Museum in McPherson, Kansas.
Tanner (1934–1956) and George (1956–1958)
Little is known about Tanner and George. Tanner, who ruled during Hollywood’s 'Golden Age,' earned a reputation as MGM’s 'angriest' lion according to Koontz, due to his constant snarling. George, on the other hand, didn’t leave much of an impression—his main claim to fame was his notably larger mane compared to the other lions.
Leo (1957-present)
Leo holds the title of MGM’s longest-serving lion, and he was also the youngest when his roar was first recorded. Beyond his iconic role in the studio logo, Leo appeared in several Tarzan films, the Tarzan TV series, and various other movies. While it’s uncertain whether 'Leo' was his real name, it was adopted by someone at the studio after he was purchased from animal dealer Henry Treffich, and it stuck in both the studio and public memory.
Other 'Lions'
Over the years, the MGM lion logo has been humorously parodied in the opening scenes of various films. These spoof versions include the Marx Brothers, a lion with blood-dripping fangs in The Fearless Vampire Killers, a croaking frog, Mimsie the Cat in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show, a meowing Tom in Tom and Jerry, Animal in The Great Muppet Caper, and a drunken lion in Strange Brew alongside Bob and Doug McKenzie.
