Film & TV Unit

Profiles

Karl Lewis Miller

1941-2008

American Humane mourns the passing of Karl Miller, veteran Hollywood animal trainer and handler. In an illustrious career spanning more than 40 years, Karl was considered a master by his peers and was a mentor to many.

Karl worked on such well-known films as Cujo, Raising Arizona, the Beethoven films, and most recently, The Invasion, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Karl directed the animal action in 1972’s The Doberman Gang, the very first film to carry American Humane’s end-credit disclaimer, “No Animals Were Harmed”®.

Perhaps the grandest and most challenging job of Karl’s career was Babe. Karl supervised a team of over 50 animal handlers over a year and a half of training and six months of filming to create the animal magic in Babe. “Other than dogs, cows and horses, we took baby animals and hand-raised them from infancy for the film," said the trainer.

Karl was the recipient of several American Humane PATSY (Performing Animal Top Star of the Year) Awards from 1967 to 1986, for projects including his work with the dog, Higgins, in Petticoat Junction (Higgins also played Benji). Two of his animals were entered into the American Humane Animal Actors Hall of Fame: Scruffy, the canine star of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Harry, a black Labrador/great Dane mix, who appeared in many films.

Karl’s legacy will continue with the work of his son, Karl Jr., and his daughter, Teresa, both trainers who follow in their father’s footsteps.

Film & TV Unit

Attention: Animal Handlers/Trainers, Producers and Filmmakers:

American Humane’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media have recently been updated, including new information.

Make sure you have the latest version!