"Joe was terrified of big cats," Kirkham said. After marrying his first wife and right before the birth of his first child, Kirkham checked into rehab at the encouragement of Inside Edition producers. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-4pbBOnMh3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link. He told Joel McHale, the host of "Tiger King and I . He also claimed that Travis Maldonado wasn't gay. ", 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. Rick, on the other hand, was able to overcome his drug addiction issues before releasing a documentary called TV Junkie, which was shot while he was high. At one point during this stint, Kirkham interviewed then-president George H.W. In 2018, Kirkham married Kristin Rosy. Later, he started working for Inside Edition,where he became known for his willingness to participate in wild stunts like setting himself on fire (as seen inTiger King). 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 has not returned Oxygen.coms request for comment. As for the alleged animal abuse, Kirkham said Joe Exotic would not only kill his older tigers and then "feed them right to the other tigers," but Kirkham said he oncewatchedhim kill a horsea woman had brought him because he claimed he would take care of it and let it use his big pasture. he worked for the news magazine Inside Edition for many years. Ricks IMDb page states that hes attached as a camera operator to The Frozen Theater, a documentary currently in its post-production stages. The recorded livestream can still be viewed online, if you're willing to pay from $3.99 to $4.99 . He's also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor. Netflix's Tiger King: 10 Most Amazing Outfits Not Worn By Joe Exotic. We cover the latest news articles around the trending People on the internet. His attorney did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Kirkham started working as a producer at RealReels in 1999 where he still works, according to his LinkedIn. Before he became addicted to drugs, Kirkham was a dancer on Dick ClarksAmerican Bandstand. His wife is a professional photographer. He uses that camera and captures a video diary of life talking intimately about his addiction, his guilt, and the love of his two boys, which would ultimately save him from self-destruction.. Trending Topics: Celebrities, TV Shows & More. 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. But he soon began to use crack cocaine. Kirkham was working on his own reality TV show about Exotic that never came to fruition after a suspicious blaze destroyed the footage a fire Kirkham believes was set by Exotic. He claimed he still has nightmares about the experience. As an interviewee, Kirkham did not receive royalties from the show, but allowed Goode and Chaiklin to use footage of Exotic he owned for a few thousand dollars. 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. But in March 2015, a suspected arson fire destroyed the zoo studio, killing the zoos alligatorsand destroying all of Kirkhams footage. 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. This is Kirkham's second marriage whom . Joe . "I knew that I had sold out my own soul," Kirkham says, and that "it really messed with my head. 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. Naturally, this included imagery of Exotic sitting on a throne in the middle of a tiger cage, as shown in the docuseries. While Baskin admitted to conversing with Kirkham, she denied making him any offer. A week before the studio burned to the ground, Kirkham said he and Exotic got into an argument over ownership rights of the footage. "Today he is, and he's sitting behind bars. But he also began smoking crack during this time. Since Tiger King's release, Kirkham hasbeen making the interview rounds to discuss the Netflix docuseries, and toldExtra's Billy Bush thathis version would've been "more violent" and would've exposed"a lot more things." He says he sought therapy to help recover from the Joe years. Kirkham's livestream isn't for everyone. After completing her schooling from American Broadcasting School, he enrolled his name at the University of Central Oklahoma for his graduation. The Oklahoma City native was thrust into the spotlight as a dancer on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" by age 16, according to a, He got a degree in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1981, according to Kirkhams. Kirkham started working as a producer at RealReels in 1999 where he still works, according to his LinkedIn. Kirkham worked as a director and producer. To focus only on his style, however, is to neglect the other gems. Besides this, there are no desperate rumors or scandals about this ex-reporter. At 16 years old, Kirkham first got a taste of television as a dancer on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Spice up your small talk with the latest tech news, products and reviews. What happened to Tiger King interviewee Rick Kirkham, the TV producer whose footage was lost in a fire? Kirkham now lives in Norway with his wife where he works as a freelance reporter, Oxygen reports, adding that he is also Facebook friends with Baskin. reported last year. Per Oxygen, Kirkham attempted suicide by taking 100 pills and drinking two beers while driving his Jeep, recording his every move. The karma comes around in that I didn't get to make my show. Interestingly, Tiger King doesn't acknowledge thatKirkham is a former Inside Edition reporter, and also the subject of a 2016 documentary, TV Junkie, that's based on hislife experiences, including a crack cocaine addiction. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. 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. For Advertisement, PR, Sponsorships, or any Query, you can contact us through this Email:-[emailprotected], Some Lesser Known Facts About Rick Kirkham, Jesy Nelson Wiki, Age, Height, Weight, Boyfriend, Biography & Family, Farhana Bodi Age, Wiki, Husband, Net worth, Biography, Family, Height, Ethnicity & More, Seema Sisodia Wiki, Biography, Children, Family, Age, Net Worth & Facts About Manish Sisodias Wife, Who is Irina Dreyt? He relays numerous instances of animal cruelty he says he saw Joe Exotic participate in, and shows gory footage of Kelci "Saff" Saffery's damaged arm and hand after a tiger attack. Kirkham has publicly advocated for drug awareness among youths and children since achieving sobriety. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kirkham began to speak publicly about his drug use to young adults. "He was scared to death of . How to get help:In the U.S., contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationhelpline at 1-800-662-4357. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. If youve been watching the new docuseries, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,. Not only is Rick working, but he has seen an uptake in his professional engagements since Tiger King released. ", 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. Kirkham went days without sleep during this time. Delivered on weekdays. Kirkham has experienced something of a resurgence in the news since theTiger Kingdocuseries aired. He had worked briefly for KFBB-TV in Montana as a news director in 2013, prior to the Joe Exotic fiasco. He had worked briefly for KFBB-TV in Montana as a news director in 2013, prior to the Joe Exotic fiasco. 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. He is a writer and cinematographer, known for The Last Mark (2022), The Frozen Theater and A Reason to Live (2008). According to Mens Health, Kirkham interviewed Bush while he was under the influence of alcohol. But some of the stream's topics are lighter, such as discussions of Joe's mullet, political campaigns, and his attempts at a country-music career, though he himself didn't do any of the singing. after that, he decided to make his career in the field of cinematography. I cried because all of our footage was in that studio and I hadn't backed up anything outside the studio.. Rick Kirkham will turn 62 years old on 16 May 2020. I attended the American Broadcasting School. According to hisLinkedInprofile, Kirkham obtained a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1981. Recently, Rick was seen spending his time with his wife and having a great harbor-side lunch before moving to Oslo to deliver a speech even during this pandemic period. Kirkham doesn't play a prominent role in Tiger King, but he doesappear to beone of the docuseries' voices of reason. Rick Kirkham is married to Kristin Rosy Kirkham. He married Kristin E Rosy Kirkham in 2018, and reportedly works as a reporter for RealReels. about the dangers of drug addiction. But where is Kirkham these days? She divorced Kirkham in 2001 following his drug abuse, and later filed a lawsuit against the producers of TV Junkie.[11][12]. But before he was ever arrested on the heinous charges, Exotic talked regularly about wanting Baskin dead often on shows Kirkham helped produce. Having started at an early age, Rick was a valued part ofInside Editionfor a long time. Rick Kirkham has a fair height of 5 feet 8 inches. The couple live in Bod, a municipality in Norway. He has also featured on the show named The Oprah Winfrey Show in the year 2007. Bush while high, according to Oxygen. [1] After graduating college, Kirkham got his first job; a crime reporter at a Las Vegas NBC affiliate. Much of the day-to-day life of eccentric exotic animal breeder and Oklahoma zookeeper Joe Exotics life was already recorded as part of a hopeful reality television show project called Joe Exotic, Tiger King.. His real birth name is Richard Allen Kirkham. Notably, Rick is somewhat closeted about his personal life, but he has had quite a prosperous professional career. Eventually, he got sober so he could be a good role model for his children. Right from the first episode you are . As of 2020, Kirkham lives in Bodo, Norway. Kirkham claimed to have "never experienced anything like Joe Exotic" and denied involvement in the 2015 G.W. Needless to say, he regained his life. The story, according to Kirkham, goes like this:"Before she got off the parkhe said, 'Rick, roll your camera. Rick Kirkham (born 16 May 1958) is a famous American writer, journalist, producer, and cinematographer from the United States. While he has already appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007, long before Tiger King, Kirkham has taken the opportunity to improve his public profile after Netflixs docuseries went viral. Then he took off to Las Vegas to become a crime reporter at an NBC affiliate, according to ABC News. from The United States Attorneys Office Western District of Oklahoma. Ironically, it was during this time Kirkham became addicted to crack cocaine. If anything, I'm grateful because, to be quite honest with you, about four months after I was there, I started realizing what was going on and seeing things that I knew were wrong," Kirkham said. To ABC news of the docuseries ' voices of reason after completing schooling. 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