Logo for Monty Cox Exotic Animal Trainer featuring a stylized lion's head in beige and dark red with bold text.

A fearless pioneer
& visionary.

Monty Cox is an internationally known, award-winning exotic animal trainer, director, stunt coordinator, stuntman — and world record-holder skydiver.

Read the book
Train With Monty
A tiger in a jungle setting reaching out to a shirtless man with sunglasses, who appears surprised or caught off guard.
Stylized beige lion's head logo on a black background. 
Monty Cox

A legendary man, 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".

40+ Years

40+ YEARS

In Industry

Master Trainer

MASTER

Trainer

Exotic Animal Expert

EXOTIC

Animal Expert

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Book cover titled 'Animals, Movies & Minds from Another Time' by Monty Cox, featuring a black-and-white photo of a lion and a shirtless man with long hair standing outdoors. 
The Book

Animals, Movies & Minds
from Another Time

Live animal work is an art — and in entertainment, a lost art. Through TRUE stories told in his own passionate, charismatic words, Monty takes you into a world of primal teeth and claws: the bear of Gentle Ben, the tiger of Apocalypse Now, the Exxon commercials, and the white lions and tigers of Siegfried & Roy.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

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.

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Liberty Training

50-year signature method

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1-on-1 Sessions

In-person or on video

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FLEXIBLE PACKAGES

Choose the plan that fits your goals

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Digital Course

Train from anywhere

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Ask a Question
A stylized movie poster for "Apocalypse Now" depicting a large orange sun setting over a river with silhouettes of helicopters flying across the sky. The poster features the text "This is the end..." at the top, along with the names of actors and the director, Francis Ford Coppola.

In Apocalypse Now, Monty Cox was largely responsible for the moment that made me become a film maker.

Chris Carter
The X Files

Press & Clippings

Tribune · By Lynn Simpson

From 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."

Learn more ⟶ 
Press-Telegram · February 1, 1989

Scene 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."

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Peoria Journal · Heart of Illinois

Clarence, 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."

Learn more ⟶ 
Times Photo · Archive

Clarence, 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."

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Monty Cox is a legendary film and television professional with over 40 years of experience as a Master Trainer, Stunt Coordinator, and animal expert. He is famously known for training the beloved bear in Gentle Ben, handling the terrifying tiger scene in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now, working with the white lions of Siegfried & Roy, and even wrestling a 9-foot crocodile for Baywatch!

  • The book is a collection of jaw-dropping, true stories told in Monty's own charismatic voice. It takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood's golden era of live animal action—a lost art. You will get an inside look at working with primal predators, from the Exxon commercial tigers to the set of major motion pictures.

  • Monty's signature 50-year training method is now available globally. The digital course consists of 8 short, high-impact video lessons (3 to 6 minutes each). You can watch free previews of every lesson before unlocking the full, comprehensive training with a simple, one-time purchase.

  • Yes! Monty offers flexible, personalized 1-on-1 consulting sessions. Depending on your location and goals, these sessions can be conducted virtually via video call or in-person. You can reach out through our "Ask a Question" or Contact form to check packages and availability.

  • The highly anticipated audiobook—narrated to bring every wild story to life—is Coming Soon! You can sign up with your email in our "Notify Me" section at the bottom of the page to get alerted the exact moment it drops.

A woman and an older man in a zoo enclosure, walking alongside a large white tiger that is on a leash, with a chain held by the man. The enclosure has a chain-link fence and a white barrel in the background.
A man and a woman with a tiger in a grassy, wooded area. The man is sitting on the ground, holding the tiger close as it rests its head on his shoulder, while the woman is kneeling and taking a photo of them.
An elderly man with white hair, wearing sunglasses and black clothing, kneels next to a young lion lying on the grass under a tree. The man holds a chain attached to the lion's collar, in a setting with a chain-link fence in the background.
A man with gray hair and sunglasses is touching a tiger's face, both are close with noses touching. The background shows blurry trees.
A man sitting outdoors next to a lion, with trees and greenery in the background.
Three men smiling and posing with a white tiger outdoors in front of trees.
A shirtless man with glasses and shaggy hair leaning on a wooden log in a lush green outdoor setting with a group of people in the background.
A man and a boy interact with a tiger on a porch, with bamboo walls and wooden furniture in the background.
A person in black clothing is being attacked by a tiger in a snowy forest, with the tiger biting the person's head and shoulder.
Older man with gray hair and glasses standing in front of a blue backdrop with the text 'Taurus World Stunt Awards' and logos, smiling and holding a blue ticket or card.
A woman with sunglasses hugging a tiger, both with eyes closed, showing affection and bonding in a close embrace.
An older man with white hair holding a magazine, standing next to a large brown bear sitting on a green platform, both appear to be about to kiss, with a green screen background behind them.
A young boy sitting outdoors near a lake, smiling and hugging a large black bear.
An elderly man wearing sunglasses crouches in a shallow stream with a white dog, both surrounded by rocks and greenery.
A person holding a large bird of prey, likely a hawk or falcon, with mountains in the background.
A smiling elderly man in athletic clothing interacting with a large brown bear against a green screen background.
An older man with sunglasses and a red and gray shirt playfully interacts with a brown bear, holding its paws in an outdoor setting with plants and a chain-link fence in the background.
A man lying on the ground outdoors under trees being attacked by a lion.
Two men check on a large lion lying on the desert ground in a dry, mountainous landscape with shrubs and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.
A large brown bear standing on its hind legs inside a building, with a man in sunglasses and athletic clothing standing nearby.
Four men posing with a large brown bear. The men are standing and sitting, with one touching the bear's back. The background is blue.
Two men and a large brown bear in an indoor studio with green screening background. One man is touching noses with the bear while the other looks on.
Three individuals outside a building labeled 'Versatile'; two are dancing or dancing-like, while a third person in the background is standing near a mailbox, with a woman observing from a distance.
A young boy, dressed in plaid shirt and jeans, stands outdoors holding a burlap sack over his shoulder, next to a large black bear with its tongue out.
A young boy standing outdoors with a large black bear standing on its hind legs behind him, surrounded by palm trees and a sandy ground.
A man with long hair, shirtless, and wearing pants, standing outdoors hugging a large black bear that is leaning against a tree.
A person lying on snow with a tiger cub, in an outdoor snowy environment.
Group of people dressed in historical military uniforms and accessories, gathered in a wooded outdoor setting, some with painted faces, posing for a photo.
A young man and woman sitting on a porch with a chimpanzee, the chimpanzee is sitting on the steps.
A woman, a man, and a lion statue or toy outdoors, with trees in the background. The woman has long hair and wears a teal turtleneck sweater and striped pants. The man has short hair and wears a sleeveless striped shirt and jeans. They are sitting on
A person wearing dark clothing is being attacked by a tiger in a snowy forest. 
Coming Soon

The Audio Book – Enter Monty's world

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