Jaw Dropping Photos Of A Family Living With A Massive Lion Back in 1970s.

Having a lion as pet might be a terrible idea but it worked out well for this family. Actress Melanie Griffith literally lived with one as a pet when she was a teenager. Lately some photos showed up online that reveal their amazing life together with a huge pet lion named Neil.

When Melanie Griffith, the Working Girl star, was still a teenager, her mom Tippi Hedren, also an actress, together with her step-father, film director Noel Marshall decided to make a film about lions after returning from a trip to Africa. They were advised by animal trainer Ron Oxley that the best way to learn about them, is to “live together with one”. And that’s how they ended up taking Neil into their home.

Here’s the amazing photos of their life with the pet lion.

Teen Melanie Griffith hanging out with Neil in the family swimming pool in Sherman Oaks, California.

Neil playfully attempt to bite her leg as she jumps into the water.

Her mom, Tippi Hedren, also spend time with the lion.

When not lounging by the pool, they sleep together as shown in these photo which first appeared in Life magazine.

Here’s teenage Griffith lying in bed with Neil in May 1971. Better than a teddy bear.

Her mother, Hedren, using Neil as an over-sized pillow while she reads the newspaper.

They even played wrestling in the living room.

Neil was adopted by the family from Church of Satan founder Anton Lavey.

They let Neil into the kitchen.

And allowed him to raid the fridge.

He loves sleeping in the kitchen like an ordinary kitty.

Even Marshall’s study wasn’t safe.

Noel Marshall, a major Hollywood agent, tries to get some work done despite Neil roaring in his face.

The movie Roar (1981) took the family 11 years and $17.5 million to make. Unfortunately, it was a commercial failure. It grossed only $2 million worldwide. An estimated 70 people were injured during the making of the film. Even Griffith herself, who played as the on-screen daughter, was hurt after her face was attacked by a lioness on the set. In spite of that, the family’s love of the big cats did not change. Hedren even founded the Roar Foundation Shambala Preserve, a sanctuary for mistreated and neglected exotic animals. The goal of the foundation is to educate the public on “the dangers of private ownership of exotic animals.”

Read the full story at BoredPanda.

H/T: BoredPanda
Images: Michael Rougier / Time & Life Pictures