35 Facts About Joe Exotic

Early Life and Family Background

Joe Exotic, born Joseph Allen Schreibvogel, has a life story filled with twists and turns. His early years set the stage for the eccentric personality he would become.

1. Joe Exotic was born on March 5, 1963, in Garden City, Kansas.
2. He was the youngest of five siblings, including Tamara, Pamela, Yarri, and Garold "G.W." Wayne.
3. The family moved to Texas when Joe was a teenager, where he attended Pilot Point High School.

Career in Law Enforcement

Before becoming a zoo owner, Joe Exotic had a brief stint in law enforcement, which was marked by personal struggles and a significant turning point in his life.

4. After high school, Joe joined the Eastvale police department and was promoted to chief of police at the age of 19.
5. His older brother Yarri outed him to their parents, leading to a strained relationship with his father.
6. Joe attempted suicide by driving into a concrete barrier in his police cruiser, leading to severe injuries and months of physical therapy.

Entry into the Exotic Animal Industry

Joe's fascination with exotic animals began during his recovery period and eventually led him to establish a zoo that would become infamous.

7. While recovering, Joe worked at a pet store where he bottle-fed baby lions and monkeys, sparking his passion for big cats.
8. In 1999, he founded the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Zoo) in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
9. The park featured a diverse range of exotic animals, including tigers, lions, bears, and alligators.

Magic Shows and Public Performances

To support his zoo, Joe Exotic took his love for animals on the road, performing magic shows and other public events.

10. Joe performed magic shows and cub-petting events across the United States under stage names like "Aarron Alex," "Cody Ryan," and "Joe Exotic."
11. He performed in malls and at fairs, gaining a following for his flamboyant style and exotic animals.

Relationships and Personal Struggles

Joe's personal life was as tumultuous as his professional one, marked by relationships that often ended in controversy.

12. In 2003, Joe hired 19-year-old John Finlay to help manage the zoo, and they began a romantic relationship.
13. Finlay struggled with steroid and meth addiction, leading to an overdose and a stint in the local ER.

Animal Abuse Allegations

The G.W. Zoo faced numerous allegations of animal abuse, painting a grim picture of life behind the scenes.

14. Crew members were known to toss live animals into tiger enclosures for fun, and many exotics starved to death.
15. Cubs were hit, and staff members engaged in bizarre behaviors like biting the head off a live snake or smoking a joint with a monkey.

Legal Troubles and USDA Actions

Joe Exotic's legal troubles began long before his murder-for-hire conviction, with multiple run-ins with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

16. In 2006, the USDA suspended Joe's license and fined him for keeping animals in poor, dirty conditions.
17. Despite these actions, the animal abuse continued, and the zoo remained a breeding ground for controversy.

Joe Exotic’s Music Career

Joe tried his hand at music, creating country songs and music videos that added another layer to his eccentric persona.

18. Joe posted an ad on Craigslist seeking musicians to help him create country songs.
19. Two Vancouver-based musicians, Vince Johnson and Danny Clinton, wrote several songs that Joe lip-synced in music videos.
20. Joe never admitted that the songs were not his own voice.

Presidential Campaign

In a surprising move, Joe Exotic entered the political arena, bringing his unique flair to the 2016 presidential race.

21. Joe announced his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election, running a short-lived and unconventional campaign.

Feud with Carole Baskin

One of the most infamous aspects of Joe's life is his bitter feud with Carole Baskin, which escalated into a criminal plot.

22. Joe had a long-standing rivalry with Carole Baskin, the owner of Big Cat Rescue.
23. Their feud escalated into a murder-for-hire plot, leading to Joe's conviction and 22-year prison sentence.

Charity Scandal

Joe's attempts to honor his late husband led to yet another controversy, revealing a darker side to his charitable efforts.

24. After the death of his husband, Travis Maldonado, Joe set up the Travis Maldonado Foundation.
25. The charity was revealed to be a scam, with donations going to Joe's personal slush fund.

Controversy Over Animal Welfare

The G.W. Zoo was repeatedly accused of violating animal welfare laws, with many animals suffering from neglect and abuse.

26. The zoo's conditions were often described as poor and dirty, with many animals suffering from neglect and abuse.

Joe Exotic’s Flamboyant Fashion Sense

Joe's unique fashion sense became a signature part of his public persona, adding to his larger-than-life image.

27. Joe was known for his flamboyant fashion sense, including a signature blonde mullet, exotic shirts, and extravagant jewelry.

Documentary Series “Tiger King”

Joe's life story reached a global audience through the Netflix documentary series "Tiger King," which captivated viewers with its bizarre and dramatic narrative.

28. Joe's life was featured in the Netflix documentary series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness.”
29. The show highlighted Joe's eccentric personality and the controversies surrounding him.

Podcast About Joe Exotic

Before the Netflix series, a podcast provided detailed insights into Joe's life and the exotic animal industry.

30. A podcast titled “Joe Exotic: Tiger King,” hosted by Robert Moor, offered detailed insights into Joe's life and the exotic animal industry.

Nondisclosure Agreements

Joe's attempts to control information about his zoo and personal life included requiring employees to sign nondisclosure agreements.

31. Joe required his employees to sign nondisclosure agreements for $1 million, although these agreements were not legally valid.

Bred Lion-Tiger Hybrids

Joe's attempts to create unique animals led to controversial breeding practices, including efforts to recreate a prehistoric creature.

32. Joe attempted to breed lion-tiger hybrids, hoping to recreate a prehistoric sabertooth tiger, a widely criticized endeavor.

Chief of Police in Texas

Joe's early career in law enforcement was marked by acceptance from colleagues but also personal struggles.

33. At just 19 years old, Joe briefly served as the chief of police in Eastvale, Texas.

Cardi B’s Support

Joe's story attracted attention from celebrities, including Cardi B, who expressed support for his legal battle.

34. Cardi B stated she would start a GoFundMe page to help pay for Joe's legal battle and get him out of prison.

Legacy and Impact

Despite the controversies, Joe Exotic's story has left a lasting impact on popular culture and the exotic animal industry.

35. Joe's story, highlighted in the “Tiger King” documentary, continues to fascinate the public and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of animal welfare.

The Wild Legacy of Joe Exotic

Joe Exotic's life is a rollercoaster of passion, controversy, and eccentricity. From his early days as a police chief to becoming a flamboyant zoo owner, his story is anything but ordinary. His love for big cats led to the creation of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, but also to numerous legal battles and allegations of animal abuse. His feud with Carole Baskin, highlighted in the Netflix series "Tiger King," brought his name into households worldwide. Despite his imprisonment for a murder-for-hire plot, Joe Exotic remains a figure of fascination. His flamboyant fashion, music videos, and political aspirations add layers to his complex persona. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or a captivating character, Joe Exotic's legacy in the world of exotic animals and pop culture is undeniable. His story continues to spark debates and intrigue, ensuring his name won't be forgotten anytime soon.