In a jaw-dropping scene, a 400-pound tiger lunges at a man, knocking him to the ground in what looks like a brutal attack. But Randy Miller, 45, isn’t in danger — he’s playing with Eden, the tiger he’s raised from birth.
Eden leaps 15 feet into the air, slamming into Miller as part of a choreographed routine. She appears to maul him, but it’s all part of the act, and Miller walks away unharmed.
Miller explains, “If a stranger tried this, they’d be seriously injured or even killed.” His deep bond with Eden allows them to perform such daring stunts safely.
Miller, who specializes in training animals for Hollywood productions, has been raising Eden since she was a cub, feeding her by hand and teaching her to respond to cues for food.
At his Big Bear, California training facility, Miller has worked with various animals for major films, including Transformers 2 and The Last Samurai.
“Eden’s my go-to for staged attacks because she’s fast, strong, and makes it look real,” Miller says. “It’s like being hit by a pro football player every time.”
Despite their close relationship, Miller remains cautious. “You always have to play your part. One mistake, and it can become dangerous. Predators have instincts — if they sense weakness, they’ll react. One bite in the wrong place could be fatal.”
What keeps Miller in control isn’t fear but affection. “Some trainers get aggressive with their animals, but I don’t see the need. These animals see me as their father,” he says.
Miller’s expertise has earned him recognition in Hollywood. He won a prestigious stunt award for his work in Gladiator, where a scene featured one of his tigers, Tara, attacking the main character in a Colosseum battle.
Miller performed the stunt with actor Russell Crowe’s face superimposed onto his.
Even though Tara bit through Miller’s leather armor during the scene, he shrugged it off. “She just liked the smell and got possessive,” he says.
Now, as Tara enjoys a quieter life in her later years, Eden is taking over as Miller’s new star. “Tara’s still great for certain things, but Eden’s younger, faster, and hits harder,” Miller adds. “Regarding staged tiger attacks, Eden’s the best in the business.”
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