Ronald Oxley was born in Colorado. He was raised in
Burbank, California.
He trained the black bear Bruno, the original Gentle Ben, and dozens of
lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bears and wolves.
His animals worked in television and motion pictures including ''Cat
People," "Ladyhawke," "Continental Divide," "Escape to Witch Mountain"
and "Adventures of the Wilderness Family." In 1983, his lion Neil was
the recipient of a Patsy award from the American Humane Society.
continue to care for the animals at the ranch.
Oxley was never married. He passed away at age 46 in his sleep Dec. 22, 1985
at the Acton ranch. His parents and two sisters were with him at the time.
Was interred at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, Newhall, Los Angeles County, California.
He worked on Ralph Helfer's Africa U.S.A. Ranch at 8237 Soledad Canyon in Acton, California which was the world's largest exotic animal rental company.