Allison Argo

Though Argo has been making films for the past 20 years, her experience in the film and entertainment industry stretches back to childhood. Raised in the theater, she first pursued a career in acting, performing Ibsen and Tennessee Williams on Broadway and starring in movies and series for television in Los Angeles. While on location, Argo met a gorilla named Ivan living alone in shopping mall in Washington State. Their chance encounter propelled Argo to move behind the camera and produce/direct her first film. The Urban Gorilla called attention to the lives of captive gorillas and inspired a movement to rescue Ivan from his solitary life. The film, which was narrated by Glenn Close, won numerous awards, including two Emmy nominations, and kicked off Argo's long association with National Geographic. Her familiarity with production through her early acting career gave Argo a foundation as a filmmaker and continues to give her a creative edge today. For the past 20 years, Argo has gone