Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s famed lion mascot, who roared at the beginning of every MGM picture, was known as Leo. But like an actor playing a role, the lions used in those famed openings had real names. The first lion was used by MGM’s predecessor Goldwyn Pictures. He was named Slats, and you see him above in this profile shot made at Gay’s Lion Farm in El Monte, California. Slats played Leo for Goldwyn and MGM from 1916 to 1928, to be followed by such luminaries as Jackie, Teller, Tanner, George, etc. Slats was the only lion that didn’t roar, because he got the gig before sound was introduced into film. While he’s immortal as a logo, he died in 1936. For his faithful service he was skinned and his hide was put on display. It’s still around, at the moment residing at the McPherson Museum in McPherson, Kansas.
Edit: We got an email from the McPherson Museum’s Education Coordinator Emily Nelson, which follows:
Hello! I am reaching out regarding the above article about MGM’s “Leo the Lion.” This article mentions McPherson Museum having Slats’ skin. We do not. A grave error occurred years ago, and one of our former directors was led outrageously astray. For quite a while, we believed we did have a Leo. Our late curator, Brett Whitenack, put in hours upon hours of research and he found that we acquired our lion rug before any of the MGM lions had died. We believe we may have a publicity stand-in, but we do not have an authentic, recorded MGM lion. I am hoping an amendment could be added to your article to correct this error. Thank you.
Correction made, Emily. They come with the territory, because research via internet has its hazards—namely false information. We try to get everything correct. Thanks for writing in.
