Manny Puig

Manny Puig was born in Cuba in 1954. At a young age, he and his mother immigrated to Florida, where he developed an early interest in wildlife. Puig spent significant time in the Everglades, hunting deer and catching small alligators, which laid the foundation for his later career focusing on animal handling.

In the late 1990s, Puig collaborated with Mehgan Heaney-Grier and Mark Rackley, working to train Grier as a free diver and filming numerous underwater encounters with animals like alligators and sharks. During this period, Puig also gained experience as an animal handler on various movie sets, mastering the techniques for interacting with alligators in their natural habitat. This collaboration led to the formation of their company, Extreme Encounters, which produced footage that eventually became the Animal Planet series “Extreme Contact.” The 20-episode series showcased the trio’s cage-free interactions with sharks, alligators, and other aquatic wildlife, highlighting Puig’s distinctive approach to handling dangerous animals without safety gear.

Puig’s career continued to expand with frequent appearances on major television shows, including “Jackass” and “Wildboyz,” where he was recognized as an expert on predatory animals. He was also featured on Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” and hosted the Outdoor Channel’s series “Savage Wild.” His work has been highlighted in documentaries and on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Shark Week.” Puig has made significant contributions as an actor, writer, and producer, participating in films such as “Jackass: The Movie” (2002), “Jackass Number Two” (2006), and “Jackass 3D” (2010), further solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in wildlife entertainment.