The first series of Tiger King made the weird and wonderful Joe Exotic and his arch nemesis Carole Baskin household names.
Now the show is back for series 2, and fans are excited to see what else is in store.
The first series, ‘Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness’ was a smash hit over the first lockdown, as viewers got to meet the inhabitants of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Zoo).
Full name Joseph “Joe Exotic” Maldonado-Passage, Joe Exotic was joined by many other colourful characters.
Rival big cat rescuer Carole Baskin is reportedly unhappy about the new series, and Joe is still behind bars for plotting her murder.
So how did Joe Exotic end up being as notorious as he is?
Life in jail
(Image: NETFLIX/Youtube)
Joe was convicted in April 19 for two counts of murder for hire as well as “falsifying wildlife records and violating the Endangered Species Act for his role in trafficking and killing tigers.”
Joe’s life and his ongoing feud with Carole was shared on the series before he was sentenced to 22 years in prison on January 22, 2020.
He was moved to FMC Fort Worth Prison, where he still remains. While inside, he has spent his time writing a tell-all memoir.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
His attorney is currently fighting for him to be released. Joe has written to numerous celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and Cardi B appealing for their help.
The 22-year-sentence was thrown out in July this year after the 10th U.S Circuit Court Of Appeals in Denver ruled he must be re-sentenced because the trial judge made a mistake.
However, the judge ruled the conviction still stands.
Carole Baskin
(Image: ABC)
The duo had a deep rivalry, with Exotic using logos that resembled those used by Baskin’s Big Cat Rescue Company.
She sued Exotic in 2011, and he was ordered to pay her $1million. Again, in 2016, Big Cat Rescue sued Exotic’s mother, Shirley Schreibvogel, amid claims he had transferred the zoo to her to avoid paying Baskin.
Baskin and her husband have sued Netflix over Tiger King 2, and have asked a judge to block Netflix from using footage of them in the new series.
(Image: Sunday Mirror/Andy Stenning)
She said the first series gave a false impression about her and the disappearance of her second husband, Don Lewis.
He disappeared on August 19 1997, his van was found at the airport but he has never been found.
Wild conspiracies surrounded his death following the release of the documentary.
The second season features interviews with Baskin’s ex-boyfriend Alan Schreier, her former husband’s driver Alex Mora, and is acquaintance Rey Rodriguez.
Love life
(Image: Internet Unknown)
Fans couldn’t believe Joe’s love life, as he had several husbands and boyfriends.
He was married to a much younger man, Dillon Passage, but the couple have now split.
Dillon went public with his new boyfriend back in July, calling him his “rock.”
Joe and Dillon had tied the knot shortly before Exotic went to prison, but it wasn’t long before he was unhappy.
(Image: Netflix)
They divorced in March, when Dillon shared a lengthy Instagram post revealing the split.
Joe’s former husband, Travis Maldonado shot himself in the gift shop of the zoo. Joe called it a “tragic accident”, as Travis had been showing off with the gun.
Joe has had five husbands in total.
He married John Finlay in 2003, and also married Travis at the same time for a polygamous wedding.
John wanted out of the marriage after a year and apparently went on to marry a woman and has fathered a child.
His Zoo
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Joe’s beloved animal park was closed down back in August 2020, according to BBC News.
The closure came after a judge awarded Carole Baskin ownership of the zoo in May of that year.
Until that point, Jeff Lowe had been running the park in Exotic’s absence before the property was turned over to Baskin, as per the judge’s orders.
Cancer diagnosis
(Image: Handout)
On November 3, a Twitter account linked to Exotic announced he had a biopsy and has an “aggressive cancer” in his prostate.
A handwritten letter was shared, saying that he doesn’t want pity but wants everyone to work together to release him.
He wrote: “Doctors called me in today to break the news that my prostate biopsy came back with an aggressive cancer.”
Joe added: “Say a prayer everyone and be my voice.”
He insisted: “They have the proof I did not do this and there is no reason for the U.S. attorney to drag this out,”
Exotic said he wants to “go home and get treatment on my own or enjoy what life I have left with my loved ones.”
Fans rallied round the star following his announcement.
Louis Theroux doc
(Image: BBC)
Joe appeared in several Louis Theroux documentaries, dating back as far as a decade ago.
Exotic featured in Theroux’s documentary called ‘America’s Most Dangerous Pets’.
Since the success of Tiger King, Theroux decided to revisit the story for a documentary called ‘The Cult Of Joe Exotic’ for BBC Two.
Theroux said: “I spent eight or nine days filming at the park back in 2011, over the course of three separate visits.”
“I’d forgot how much we shot until I went back into the footage during lockdown, it’s extraordinary how much was there.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
