Melanie Griffith's childhood home was a lion’s den — literally.
The actress spent her teenage years living with a pet lion named Neil after her parents — Hitchcock muse Tippi Hedren and stepfather Noel Marshall — decided to make a film about the big cats.
A photo series taken by LIFE photographer Michael Rougier show that Neil was treated like another member of the family at their Californian home in the 1970s. The full-sized lion played in their outdoor pool, lounged around the house and even grabbed a bite to eat from the fridge.
Neil seemed to bond with the entire family, spending time with Marshall in his study and acting as a pillow while Hedren read the newspaper.
A few photos show a 14-year-old Griffith curling up in her bed with Neil, who has his own red blanket to cover up with.
A particularly jarring shot shows Griffith jumping into the pool and Neil’s mouth wide open and his paw outstretched to grab her leg.
The whole family starred in the film “Roar,” which took 11 years to make. It was a box- office flop that resulted in numerous cast and crew injuries, including Griffith getting 50 stitches after being bit by one of the furry felines.
"Everyone said it was impossible to shoot a film with so many lions at once - that you couldn't work with more than one. I felt like a lamb invited to the slaughter." Melanie said.
None of the animals were hurt, but most of the humans wound up in hospital. A couple of film crews walked out, reputedly after losing a few fingers.
Melanie herself had her face being torn open by a lioness who "didn't mean to hurt me. Just, after seven years growing up with the lions I forgot you have to be careful. You can never be sure you're safe and just a blow can pop your head like a ping pong ball."
