Before his breakthrough role, Haggerty had already made a name for himself in Hollywood as a stuntman and animal handler. However, it was his fateful encounter with a producer that would change his life forever. Asked to act in some opening scenes for a movie about a woodsman and his bear, Haggerty agreed on one condition — he wanted to be in the entire movie.

The film, based on Charles Sellier Jr.’s novel, became a surprise hit. Made on a modest budget of $165,000, it went on to gross nearly $30 million at the box office. This incredible success led to the creation of a television series adaptation, where Haggerty reprised his role as the nature-loving protector of the wilderness.