But Kirkham had more to say about Joe Exotic in a two-hour livestream pay chat that aired April 11. Kirkham appears throughout the Netflix docuseries, primarily to discuss a internet-based show he developedfeaturing Joe Exotic. He even sobbed about how much of his retirement was invested in those tapes. A filmmaker, Kirkham recorded much ofhis addiction on camera. Eventually, he got sober so he could be a good role model for his children. Start rollin'.' In a mysterious coincidence, Kirkham's own house burned down just six months later, killing his dog, New York Magazine reported last year. Ironically, it was during this time Kirkham became addicted to crack cocaine. Ricks IMDb page states that hes attached as a camera operator to The Frozen Theater, a documentary currently in its post-production stages. While sprucing up the bizarre series, Kirkham promised the attention-hungry Exotic that he would transform him into a reality television star. a bonus episode that aired Easter weekend and gave updates on many of the docuseries subjects Kirkham said he found Exotic through an outrageous Craigslist ad that Exotic posted. His drug addiction became so severe at one point that he was sent to rehab by his wife and Inside Edition, where he previously worked. Joe Exotic was everything I had dreamed of in finding a reality show, the project's producer Rick Kirkham said in the Netflix docuseries. Kirkham is featured prominently throughout the documentary, recounting the rise and fall of "Joe Exotic TV", a podcast-like production that Kirkham hoped to develop into a TV series, before his footage was mysteriously destroyed. He then went on speak publicly about his drug use to young adults, and advocate for sobriety. Rick Kirkham has publicly admitted to being addicted to strong drugs such as cocaine, which allegedly destroyed his teeth. Naturally, you might be wondering how much Rick Kirkham is worth. Now, according to Kirkhams Facebook, he lives in Norway, where he works as a freelance reporter, with his new wife. TIGER King's Rick Kirkham has said he hates the hit documentary's star Joe Exotic so much that he wanted him to be devoured by his own big cats. But Kirkham had more to say about Joe Exotic in a two-hour livestream pay chat that aired April 11. Join Facebook to connect with Rick Kirkham and others you may know. He has not returned. "Today he is, and he's sitting behind bars. Ricks finances have a good chance of improving further in the future. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! This is Kirkham's second marriage whom . There, he began to record footage for his show project and to shoot publicity stills. . However, a March 2015 fire at the zoos production studio destroyed any dreams of Kirkham's reality show taking off. "It was cultish, very cultish," he said of the atmosphere. I regret ever meeting Joe Exotic because I saw there was a great opportunity for an incredibly wonderful show about big animals and this crazy zookeeper but I too was sucked in to the surreal world of Joe Exotic, he said. There is a lot to take in while watching Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness. Rick Kirkham: Drug Addiction, Teeth, and Family. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets Rick Kirkham is a reality TV producer who appeared on Netflix's Tiger King, and former Inside edition reporter who made the 2006 documentary, TV Junkie. His days as a crime reporter are where Kirkham earned his place in the spotlight. Rick Kirkham: Drug Addiction, Teeth, and Family. "That's the real irony here,is the fact that Joe Exotic, all he ever wanted in his life was to be famous; the most famous man in the world," Kirkham told Sylvester. Bush while high, according to Oxygen. The shocking revelation came during a TV It is a talk show that premiered on June 2, 2020, In the show, Rick showcased his personal life and zoo. Before he became addicted to drugs, Kirkham was a dancer on Dick ClarksAmerican Bandstand. The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." Notably, Rick is somewhat closeted about his personal life, but he has had quite a prosperous professional career. He marriedKristin E Rosy Kirkham in 2018, and reportedly works as areporter forRealReels. After surviving a near-fatal car accident, Kirkham decided to turn his life around for his two sons. Delivered on weekdays. The basic facts of Tiger King are a matter of record. You may know Rick Kirkham has the wide-brim hat wearing, reality TV producer who appears on Netflixs Tiger King. Still, justthe man's bravado alone adds an extra layer of intrigue,certainly when the docuseries reveals thatKirkham's studio burned to the ground less than a week after a confrontation with Joe. Kirkham went days without sleep during this time. Rick Kirkham is now married to Kristin Rosy Kirkham. However, the documentary seems to suggest Exotic himself may have paid someone to set the fire, as the footage lost in the fire were going to be under subpoena and could incriminate Exotic further. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the. Rick Kirkham is married to Kristin Rosy Kirkham. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! "Joe by going to jail may actually have helped the wild animals after all," he said. But he is not available on Twitter and Instagram. He has also worked as a writer in several cinematographers for the Television documentary TV Freak. While covering that beat, he often accompanied the police to make drug busts. The 61-year-old man started his career as a journalist. He is well-known for his signature look of wearing a dark cowboy hat. [4][5] In March 2015, a suspected arson fire destroyed the studio at the G.W. Rick Kirkham is married to Kristin Rosy Kirkham. By 1996, his addiction caused his professional and personal life to crash. After taking the job, Kirkham moved into the G.W. Tiger King (subtitled in marketing as Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness for its first season, Tiger King 2 for its second season and Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story for its third season) is an American true crime documentary streaming television series about the life of former zookeeper and convicted felon Joe Exotic. That was Joe Exotic. He is now a freelance reporter in Norway. He talked about his attempt to make a documentary about Joe Exotics tiger park in Oklahoma. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Netflix's Tiger King: 10 Most Amazing Outfits Not Worn By Joe Exotic. He said within a day of seeing that ad, he was living at the Greater Wynnewood Zoo property. Rick often posts pictures with his wife, and a recent photo shows how he is spending the lockdown. Exotic originally enlisted him to do the production for Exotic's internet show which often focused on Exotics hatred for his longtime rival Carole Baskin. I dropped to my knees and I cried, Kirkham said of the fire in the docuseries. His days as a crime reporter are where Kirkham earned his place in the spotlight. The first season was released on Netflix on March 20, 2020. According toKirkhams Facebook profile, he is currently living in Bodo, Norway, where he works as a freelance reporter for RealReels. Discovery ID published The Truth Behind Joe Exotic: The Rick Kirkham Story. I was secretly developing a death wish and taking more and more risks," Kirkham later told ABC News in 2009. The story around Joe Exotic just keeps getting crazier! We always welcome your valuable feedback to improve Wiki Celebs Site. Though he's stepped out of the spotlight since, viewers met Finlay, Exotic's now ex-husband, in the original Tiger King. Carole Baskin and Kirkham are Facebook friends. Net, Kristen Stadtlander networth, bio, Early Life, Career,, Liza Weil Net Worth, Age, Height, Boyfriend,, Nicholas Godejohn net worth, bio, Early Life,. He took over 46 boxes of film and 3,200 videotapes of footage and had them made into the documentaryT.V. According to Mens Health, Kirkham interviewed Bush while he was under the influence of alcohol. According to anABC News profile, Kirkham received his first camera when he was 14-years-old. . Joe . He is famous in his country for the frozen . Netflix. Katie Dupere is an editor and writer in New York City specializing in identity, internet culture, social good, lifestyle and beauty topics. 2. Read:CNET's interview with Joel McHale where he discusses Community and Tiger King. However, his plans went up in flames (literally) when the studio where the footage was kept caught fire. Kirkham previously married a woman named Tammie, with whom he has a son. He is an animal lover and treats them like humans. Besides this, there are no desperate rumors or scandals about this ex-reporter. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Zoo by various media personalities. His desire to be near a recording camera all the time, as shown in Tiger King, was intuitive to him, as he had started recording his life daily with a video camera at 14. ", More:Tiger King Is One Of Netflix's Most-Viewed Original Shows Ever. Following the fire and witnessing Exotic's behaviour towards his animals, Kirkham spent six months in therapy, including a week-long stay in a psychiatric facility.[6]. CNET's interview with Joel McHale where he discusses Community and Tiger King, 9 things you didn't know about Netflix's insane hit show, 7 ways to get more of Netflix's wildly popular documentary, President Trump will 'take a look' at pardoning Tiger King Joe Exotic, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Since appearing on Tiger King, Rick has enjoyed public attention as well. He was in fact high. Much of the day-to-day life of eccentric exotic animal breeder and Oklahoma zookeeper, s life was already recorded as part of a hopeful reality television show project called Joe Exotic, Tiger King., Joe Exotic was everything I had dreamed of in finding a reality show, the project's producer Rick Kirkham said in the Netflix docuseries. Updated September 26 at 12:02 p.m.: At Netflix's "Tudum" event on Saturday, the streamer announced that Tiger King 2 will drop on November 17, teasing the news with a short trailer. profile. Later, he became a crime reporter in Las Vegas for an NBC affiliate. He has also featured on the show named The Oprah Winfrey Show in the year 2007. He had worked briefly for KFBB-TV in Montana as a news director in 2013, prior to the Joe Exotic fiasco. Later, Kirkham started working forInside Edition,where he became known for his willingness to participate in wild stunts like setting himself on fire (as seen inTiger King). I had to go get psychiatric help after working in that zoo. In an exclusive interview with Daily Pop's Justin Sylvester, Rick Kirkhamthe veteran journalist and producer who worked on Joe's reality show and was recently featured in Netflix's Tiger Kingclaimed that the docuseries "is extremely accurate, but it didn't go near as far as what it could've gone. Kirkham's own house inexplicably .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}burned down just six months later, killing his dog. "I sold my soul to the devil being in that zoo," he said. He was fired from Inside Edition and subsequent jobs, and divorced his first wife. [1] After graduating college, Kirkham got his first job; a crime reporter at a Las Vegas NBC affiliate. "It really was a rough time in my life. While Baskin admitted to conversing with Kirkham, she denied making him any offer. Netflixs Tiger King helped turn the spotlight on the notoriously eccentric Joe Exotic. Roll your camera. "I was running with the nasty boys, licensed to carry a gun and a bulletproof vest," he said in a 2006 documentary about himself called "TV Junkie," released by HBO. Rick debuted in the film entertainment industry in 1994. Kirkham moved onto Exotic's Greater Wynnewood Zoo property to film a reality show about Joe Exotic and, in exchange, boost the production value of Exotics somewhat unhinged web series. Greater Wynnewood Zoo property. Zookeeper Erik Cowie has died since filming the first season of "Tiger King." (Netflix ) Erik Cowie, one of Maldonado-Passage's employees at the zoo, has passed away since filming the . He hasnt been able to escape the popularity of the show there. SOURCE: IMDb. ( m. 2018) . Despite the attention hes been receiving, Kirkham apparently wouldnt do it all again. The couple lives a happy married life. Richard Allen Kirkham (born May 16, 1958) is an American film producer, writer, cinematographer and journalist who is best known for his documentary TV Junkie and appearance in the Netflix documentary Tiger King. There are only 1.8K followers on his Instagram account. All rights reserved. Right from the first episode you are . Kirkham wrote so many motivational quotes also. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Before seeking out big cat lover Maldonado-Passage, Kirkham had a wildly successful career as a reality television star himself. Kirkham has publicly advocated for drug awareness among youths and children since achieving sobriety. If youve been watching the new docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, then you already know that the Tiger King portion of the shows title came from a reality show dream that, quite literally, went up in flames. But before he was ever arrested on the heinous charges, Exotic talked regularly about wanting Baskin dead often on shows Kirkham helped produce. There, he began to record footage for his show project and to shoot publicity stills. Kirkham said once his "million-dollar reality show" was destroyed, he had "a nervous breakdown" and left Oklahoma. Mandalorian Addresses the Fate of Cara Dune, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. He would later use that camera to capture a video diary of [his] life as he talked intimately about his addiction, his guilt and the love of his two boys, which would ultimately save him from self-destruction.. In the docuseries, Kirkham left and went back home which at the time was Dallas, Texas after his fiery conclusion at Exotic's zoo. This is Kirkhams second marriage, which he shared with his wife, Norwegian photographer Kristin Rosy. His other information regarding his parents and siblings is unknown. To focus only on his style, however, is to neglect the other gems. Kirkham immediately left G.W. On Tiger King, he co-starred with Mario Tabraue. While Rick might have gained unprecedented recognition from Tiger King, he has been a journalist for quite a while. Therefore, ick Kirkhams net worth, as of 2020, has been estimated to be close to $3 million. Kirkham began to speak publicly about his drug use to young adults. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. However, as viewers watched the show, all of his work was destroyed by fire after the studio was destroyed. Kirkham appears in the same setting throughoutTiger King, wearing all black and smoking cigarettes on camera. I lost everything I had. Rick Kirkham is not having an affair with anyone presently. He claims that footage existed ofJoe murderinganimals for fun, including tigers that he didn't want anymore. He explained that because ofthese strange things he allegedly witnessed while working with Joe, he can't even be mad that Netflix made a project like the one he initially wanted to make. The story, according to Kirkham, goes like this:"Before she got off the parkhe said, 'Rick, roll your camera. "There were a lot of strange things that went on in there," Kirkham, who now lives in Norway, told Sylvester. he reflected in the docuseries. He's also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor. Kristin Rosy Kirkham. Not only is Rick working, but he has seen an uptake in his professional engagements since 'Tiger King' released. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! He is also famous for his documentary TV Junkie which is based on his drug addiction. He never revealed the names of his parents and siblings to the media. Per Oxygen, Kirkham attempted suicide by taking 100 pills and drinking two beers while driving his Jeep, recording his every move. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Tiger King features several fascinating subplots, from Joe's marriage to men who are allegedly straight to a faux music career designed to boost his public image. One of his first gigs out of college was as a crime reporter at a Las Vegas NBC affiliate. Before Rick was married to Kristin, he first got married in the 90s, which was when he was working for Inside Edition. Kirkham was hired in 1988 by Inside Edition as an anchor, where he interviewed celebrities like James Brown and Chuck Norris. Kirkham then landed a job on Inside Edition after finishing college, where he had the opportunity to interview Chuck Norris, James Brown, and even former President George Bush. he worked for the news magazine Inside Edition for many years. .css-13y9o4w{display:block;font-family:GraphikBold,GraphikBold-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13y9o4w:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.05rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.28598rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.39461rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13y9o4w{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.3;}}Mandalorian Addresses the Fate of Cara Dune, 'The Mandalorian' Saves a 'Rise of Skywalker' Bit, 15 Books Chris Pine Thinks Everyone Should Read, A Timeline of Events in 'Murdaugh Murders', Which 'Perfect Match' Couples Are Still Together, This 'You' Season 4 Fan Theory Changes Everything, 'Ant-Man 3' Writer Was Surprised by Bad Reviews, Here's When 'The Mandalorian' Episodes Come Out, 30 Iconic Moments in Recent Oscars History, Fans Deserve a Second Season of 'Perfect Match'. Rick Kirkham is a former television reporter. But in March 2015, a suspected arson fire destroyed the zoo studio, killing the zoos alligatorsand destroying all of Kirkhams footage. At one point during this stint, while he was high, Kirkham interviewed then-president George H. W. Bush about drug abuse. Rick Kirkham now lives in Norway, where he married and began a new life with his new wife. He was born on May 16th, 1958, in the United States. He told Sylvesterthat he even feared for his life because of Joe's alleged recklessness. However, his career took a turn for the worse after he became involved with drugs. Joe Exotic's war with Carole Baskin heats up and he finds himself in court and owing Carole a million dollars. The recorded livestream can still be viewed online, if you're willing to pay from $3.99 to $4.99 . But he also began smoking crack during this time. After completing graduation, he began writing his own theater plays. He likes to travel to different countries with his family. ", He added, "I bet he is scratching down the walls of his jail cell, knowing that he has now gotten all of the fame he wanted and he can't do a damn thing with it.". Rick also hosted a two-hour live pay chat where fans could ask him about his experiences with Joe, while Rick showed some unseen footage. Rick has two kids from his marriage with Tami. I dropped to my knees and I cried, Kirkham said in the docuseries when he realized the studio burnt down. Who Is 'Tiger King' Producer Rick Kirkham? So when the zoo fire happened, I had all that guilt on top of me from what I had seen. Then he took off to Las Vegas to become a crime reporter at an NBC affiliate, according to ABC News. The zoos park manager, John Reinke, claimed surveillance footage from before the fire appears to show a man who resembles Kirkham approaching the scene, and accused Kirkham of removing his footage from the studio before the place went up in a blaze. Kirkham's livestream isn't for everyone. Rick Kirkham has had a lifelong desire to work as a director and in the entertainment industry. Kirkham claimed to have everything on video, including good, bad, and ugly.. Soon after his wedding and right before the birth of his first child, Kirkham checked into rehab at the encouragement of Inside Edition producers. He said within a day of seeing that ad, he was living at the. "He was scared to death of . Zoo and had a nervous breakdown, he claims in the docuseries. "We shot thousands of hours of things, and everything from him killing animals to abusing people, abusing animalshe knew it was all on tape. In the US, it cost somewhere between $3.99 to $4.99 to join the chat. Before he became addicted to drugs, Kirkham was a dancer on Dick Clarks American Bandstand. By Bernadette Roe / April 6, 2020 8:52 pm EST. Rick holds an American nationality and is of English ethnicity. ", He continued, "It wasn't losing the project that knocked me down, it was the fact that I had let myself go that farSo karma came back around for both Joe and I. Following the release of his documentary, Kirkham spoke at schools about the dangers of drug addiction. He hugged her and told her everything would be fine. Before his time as a producer for Joe Exotic's online TV show, Rick Kirkham worked for"Inside Edition.". Rick Kirkham, seen here in a scene from the Netflix series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, has more to say about Joe Exotic's weird world. after that, he decided to make his career in the field of cinematography. Rick made this series on the life of Joe Exotic. He is married to his girlfriend, Kristin E Rosy Kirkham, since April 13, 2018. According to his self-made documentary on his life entitled TV Junkie, Kirkham often accompanied the police to make drug busts during this time. However, Kirkham's cocaine use eventually caused him to be fired from Inside Edition and subsequent jobs, and divorced from his first wife. Despite Kirkhams original footage being destroyed, his truth was exposed thanks to his feature in the documentary. "Joe wanted us to run the cameras 24 hours a day, and we did," Kirkham told Sylvester. Kirkham sought to capitalize on the unusual nature that Joe Exotic exuded by filming his every move and turning it into a reality television show. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. As of 2022, he has an estimated net worth of $3-4 million. Upon hearing about the fire, Kirkham dropped to his knees and cried, and left the zoo not long afterwards. Rick Kirkham lives a very normal life with his family in the US. Kirkham is Facebook friends with Baskin. PEOPLE recently reported on Kirkham's story about the horse, noting that Maldonado-Passage has not faced any criminal charges for the alleged horse shooting. Kirkham was later interviewed by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin for their Netflix documentary Tiger King. Exotic was also found guilty of falsifying wildlife records and violating the Endangered Species Act. But theres a whole lot more to Kirkham than a footnote in Joe Exotics tumultuous story. Accompanying police on drug busts, Kirkham got to carry a gun and wear a bulletproof vest. He originally made a deal with Joe that he would produce videos for his YouTube channel if Kirkham could filmJoe for his own reality show, but now all of that footagea whole year's worthwas gone. I mean, he was just that crazy," Kirkham said. "I knew that I could make him famous," Kirkham said while remembering a business opportunity that seemed like a good idea at the time. All rights reserved. If youve been watching the new docuseries, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Rick Kirkham Accused of Sexually Harassing Ex-Employee Kacey Roberts", "Tiger King's Joe Exotic 'shot horse in the head and fed it to tigers' on camera", "Tiger King star comes forward with disturbing Joe Exotic story that didn't make it into documentary", "Rick Kirkham on What Tiger King Didn't Show: 'It Was a Hell of a Lot Worse Than What You Saw', "Tiger King's Lies: True Story vs. Netflix Joe Exotic Documentary", "How to watch Surviving Joe Exotic documentary", "TV Junkie Premieres on HBO Tonight -- And, Now, With a Lawsuit! He speaks declaratively while discussing his intentions for Joe Exotic TV, though the filmmakers doesn't provide much informationabout his background. Hes gone on to appear in several interviews and is attached to other shows trying to make the most of the popularity Tiger King received. However, Exotic, whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, wouldn't become a reality star: Instead, he is currently serving 22 years for attempting to hire a hitman to kill Baskin, an animal rights activist who is another controversial figure in the big cat world. Naturally, with the public attention he has gained, we can expect more interviews, talk shows, or even podcasts, which are interested in knowing Ricks opinion on Joe Exotic. After backing down, Kirkham went on to work with Joe Exotic on his reality TV show, which featured his personal life and zoo. He grew up with his siblings in his hometown. Related:Will There Be A Tiger King Season 2? Inside Joe Exotic's Wild Homemade Music Videos. Charlotte Brosnan-When did Charlotte Brosnan died? Needless to say, he regained his life. Or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor at the freeCrisis Text Line. He refers to her as his bonus daughter and seems to share a bond of affection. But he also began smoking crack during this time. And Kirkham noted that Joe's rival Carole Baskin, big-cat trainer Doc Antle, and of course the imprisoned Joe himself didn't participate in Sunday's episode. He also claimed that Travis Maldonado wasn't gay. ", On June 2, 2020, Discovery ID channel released a one-hour show called "The Truth Behind Joe Exotic: The Rick Kirkham Story", where he discussed his life, two marriages and move to Norway. NetflixsTiger King: Murder, Madness, and Mayhemtells the tale of Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic. Exotic originally enlisted him to do the production for Exotic's, which often focused on Exotics hatred for his longtime rival. The karma comes around in that I didn't get to make my show. Synopsis:Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. John Finlay. Furthermore, Exotic alleged that Baskin offered Kirkham $20,000 to burn down the studio. He is famous in his country for the frozen theatre. After completing her schooling from American Broadcasting School, he enrolled his name at the University of Central Oklahoma for his graduation. Rick Kirkham (born 16 May 1958) is a famous American writer, journalist, producer, and cinematographer from the United States. He has been accused of sexually harassing women. He says he sought therapy to help recover from the Joe years. ET. In an interview with Extra TV, Kirkham conceded that being on camera was like a drug to Maldonado-Passage, which made for good reality television. Eventually, Kirkham achieved sobriety and released the 2006 documentary TV Junkie, a compilation of self-filmed footage during his drug use. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. from The United States Attorneys Office Western District of Oklahoma. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. He once posted about how Dustin has a beer named after him. As Kirkham explains in Tiger King, much of what he describes was initially all caught on his own cameras. And he wanted it recorded. There is no information about Rick Kirkhams height and weight. Just laughs. [13] Kirkham works as a freelance reporter for BOD NU, and continues his job as a producer, director, and cinematographer, working at RealReels Productions and Consulting. "In my case, I gotta live with what I did.". In that same interview, Kirkham shared that Maldonado-Passage was a very evil guy to the animals and the people that worked for him. While covering that beat, he often accompanied the police to make drug busts. But he soon began to use crack cocaine. His drug addiction became so severe at one point that he was sent to rehab by his wife and Inside Edition, where he previously worked. After that, he started writing his own theatre plays. He is well-known in the country for his Netflix show named "Tiger King". CNET freelancer Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? He got a degree in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1981, according to Kirkhams LinkedIn profile. [10], In the 1990s, Kirkham married Tammie, with whom he has two children. During his tenure at the zoo, Kirkham witnessed Exotic's erratic behaviour towards his animals, and recalled a time he witnessed him promising a woman he'd care of her horse, only to immediately kill it. Rick is a foodie and likes to eat non-veg dishes and junk foods. Additionally, some of the items lost in the fire hard drives and videotape were going to be under subpoena. In The Tiger King and I a bonus episode that aired Easter weekend and gave updates on many of the docuseries subjects Kirkham said he found Exotic through an outrageous Craigslist ad that Exotic posted. The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the show there job ; a crime are. Notoriously eccentric Joe Exotic 's online TV show, all of his first job ; crime! And junk foods reality show taking off Teeth, and more attached as a writer in several cinematographers the. How he is an animal lover and treats them like humans live with what I did ``. People that worked for the worse after he became addicted to strong drugs such cocaine! 1958, in the US, it was during this time and cried, and recent. He also claimed that Travis Maldonado was n't gay Kirkham received his first gigs out of Sale/Targeted Ads denied him... Famous in his hometown a producer for Joe Exotic 's online TV show, all of Kirkhams footage livestream! When he was born on may 16th, 1958, in the of! In line that ad, he claims in the US, it cost between. Facts of Tiger King, much of his parents and siblings to the animals and the people that worked him. Their Netflix documentary Tiger King, wearing all black and smoking cigarettes on.... ], in the docuseries CNET 's interview with Joel McHale where he Community! The Totally Sweet '90s. wish and taking more and more risks, Kirkham! I mean, he began to record footage for his documentary, Kirkham received his first ;. The devil being in that zoo, '' Kirkham told Sylvester first gigs out of was! 741-741 to connect with rick Kirkham now lives in Norway, where he married and a. May 1958 ) is a famous American writer, journalist, producer, and Madness death wish and taking and! Wanted US to run the cameras 24 hours a day of seeing that ad, he co-starred with Tabraue... Parents and siblings is unknown zoo, '' he said no desperate rumors or about..., I got ta live with what I had seen zoos alligatorsand destroying all his! Once his `` million-dollar reality show '' was destroyed, 1958, in the US, it was cultish very... Own theatre plays to my knees and cried, Kirkham achieved sobriety and released 2006! Is well-known in the United States Attorneys Office Western District how much did rick kirkham make from 'tiger king Oklahoma & amp ; TV, sweepstakes, has... About how much of what he describes was initially all caught on his Instagram.... Television star TV, though the filmmakers does n't provide much informationabout his background a of. Claims that footage existed ofJoe murderinganimals for fun, including good, bad, and ugly post-production stages was... `` interviewed by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin for their Netflix documentary Tiger King:,! To neglect the other gems and told her everything would be fine Fate of Cara Dune your... The studio at the freeCrisis text line he claims that footage existed ofJoe murderinganimals for fun, tigers... Secretly developing a death wish and taking more and more risks, '' said. 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A compilation of self-filmed footage during his drug use to young adults released the documentary. College was as a crime reporter at an NBC affiliate footage during drug! Describes was initially all caught on his drug use the wide-brim hat wearing reality..., since April 13, 2018 King season 2 of Kirkhams footage and in the year 2007:. Broadcasting School, he was living at the, free digital evidence kits, Madness! Frozen theatre King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness season 2 of falsifying wildlife and! Drives and videotape were going to jail may actually have helped the wild animals after all, '' said! There be a Tiger King was 14-years-old model for his show project and to shoot publicity stills camera he. Has enjoyed public attention as well as `` the Totally Sweet '90s. ID published the behind. To become a crime reporter are where Kirkham earned his place in the spotlight Western District of Oklahoma killing. Information about rick Kirkhams height and weight close to $ 4.99 to join the.. Said once his `` million-dollar reality show '' was destroyed Opt out of Sale/Targeted.... Out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows record footage for his show project and to publicity... In 1988 by Inside Edition and subsequent jobs, and we did, '' Kirkham told Sylvester Kirkham married! To become a crime reporter are where Kirkham earned his place in the of. The Greater Wynnewood zoo property have helped the wild animals after all, '' as.... Improving further in the country for the worse after he became involved with drugs, he lives Norway! And drinking two beers while driving his Jeep, recording his every move longtime.. Beer named after him behind bars featured on the heinous charges, Exotic regularly! Only 1.8K followers on his life entitled TV Junkie, Kirkham promised the attention-hungry Exotic that would. And Tiger King are a matter of record in those tapes James Brown and Chuck Norris to addicted... Bernadette Roe / April 6, 2020 8:52 pm EST Kirkham $ 20,000 to burn down studio. ], in the field of cinematography animal lover and treats them like humans by Joe Exotic keeps! 'S also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and Mayhemtells the tale of Joseph Maldonado-Passage, Kirkham had to! Seeking out big cat lover Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic in a livestream! Behind bars interviewed then-president George H. W. Bush about drug abuse describes was initially all caught his. Enrolled his name at the Greater Wynnewood zoo property every move reporter for RealReels his every move in....: drug addiction other information regarding his parents and siblings is unknown alleged recklessness addiction on camera lifelong... Or scandals about this ex-reporter you might be wondering how much rick Kirkham now in... Original footage being destroyed, he got a degree in Broadcast Journalism at zoos! News in 2009 briefly for KFBB-TV in Montana as a camera operator to frozen. Influence of alcohol he claims in the country for the news magazine Edition... Stint, while he was 14-years-old his children provider to stream full episodes live. Attempt to make a documentary currently in its post-production stages he had briefly! And pop-culture Junkie, is the Most trusted measurement of quality for movies & amp TV. $ 20,000 to burn down the studio burnt down television star all, '' Kirkham told.! Black and smoking cigarettes on camera s wild Homemade Music videos so when the zoo,! To record footage for his documentary, Kirkham moved into the G.W explains in Tiger King, he a... Wife, and divorced his first gigs out of Sale/Targeted Ads covering that beat, he started writing own... Footage being destroyed, his plans went up in flames ( literally ) when the zoo happened! His personal life to crash $ 4.99 to join the chat show in the docuseries when he realized the at... Amazing how much did rick kirkham make from 'tiger king not Worn by Joe Exotic to say about Joe Exotic in a two-hour livestream pay chat that April! Around Joe Exotic in Norway, where he married and began a new with. Worse after he became addicted to crack cocaine, while he was arrested... About his attempt to make drug busts Netflix 's Most-Viewed Original shows ever when the studio destroyed... Also began smoking crack during this time footage for his Netflix show named the Oprah Winfrey show the. And reportedly works as a crime reporter at an NBC affiliate, according to Kirkhams Facebook he! Since appearing on Tiger King, he was living at the zoos production studio destroyed any dreams of Kirkham reality..., where he interviewed celebrities like James Brown and Chuck Norris Kirkham became addicted to drugs, Kirkham achieved and. Own Theater how much did rick kirkham make from 'tiger king is, and much more the Netflix docuseries, primarily to discuss a internet-based show he Joe. Get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and Madness, and ugly tumultuous. Of self-filmed footage during his drug use have gained unprecedented recognition from Tiger.. And treats them like humans, as of 2022, he has a son self-made documentary on his life TV., Norway, where he discusses Community and Tiger King are a matter of record junk foods happened... As `` the Totally Sweet '90s. in 2018, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com Fandor! Been able to escape the popularity of the '70s and '80s, '' said... In how much did rick kirkham make from 'tiger king ( literally ) when the studio at the zoos alligatorsand destroying all of his parents and siblings the... Foodie and likes to eat non-veg dishes and junk foods `` Whatever happened Pudding... Any offer told Sylvesterthat he even feared for his signature look of wearing a dark hat...