By Maggie Downs
Enquirer staff writer

AVONDALE - He was big. He was furry. He growled a lot. And he wasn't in a cage.

Lucy Wilhelm, of Liberty IN, gets a hug from her hero, Rupert, the celebrity from Survivor. (Enquirer photo/STEVEN M. HERPPICH)

America's favorite Survivor, Rupert Boneham, appeared at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden on Sunday for a meet and greet with fans, courtesy of local CBS affiliate Channel 12.

A crowd of about 3,000 swarmed the zoo to meet the Indianapolis native.

Almost 2,000 stood in line to speak with Boneham, with the remainder flocking to an auditorium to watch him from afar. About 1,000 received autographs during the two-hour session.

Cincinnati is the country's largest market for the challenging reality show that takes 16 castaways and tosses them into a remote area for more than a month.

Channel 12 estimates that on Thursday nights, 35 to 40 percent of Cincinnati TVs are tuned to Survivor.

Boneham appeared on seasons seven and eight for Survivor: Pearl Island and Survivor: All Stars.

Though Boneham wasn't the sole survivor on either season, he was voted America's Favorite Survivor, a title that came with $1 million attached.

He was certainly the favorite of Carolyn Hiatt, Billie Jo Toney, Connie Robbins and Lucy Wilhelm, all cooks at Union County High School in Liberty, Ind. They waited several hours for the opportunity to meet Boneham.

"It's just like the Beatles. I stood in line for them in '64," Wilhelm said. "I feel like a young girl with butterflies in my stomach."

The group often shouted cheers and did imitations of Boneham's trademark roar.

"He's just down-to-earth and a true American," Robbins said.

While fans filed past, Boneham smiled, signed T-shirts and handed out hugs like candy on Halloween. He spent long moments with each fan that passed by, chatting and having his photo taken with most every one.

"People like him because he's so kind and generous with his time," said Jennifer Bucheit, director of creative services and marketing at Channel 12. "He stands out as a real genuine person."

Veronica Ruschman, 13, of Villa Hills, said she was a huge fan of the Survivor because of Boneham's friendly demeanor.

"And he's man enough to wear a skirt (on the show)!" she said.

Sean Davidson, 29, wife Robin, and daughters Halley, 8, Anna, 4, and Dawn, 4 months, were all decked out in Boneham's signature tie-dye.

They are longtime fans of the castaway because Sean Davidson has seen him at several Grateful Dead shows.

"I saw him on TV and was like, 'I know that guy!'" he said.

"So we wanted to get a family tie-dye photo with him," Robin Davidson said. "I think we relate to him because he's so down to earth."

Boneham, 40, is starting a charity, Rupert's Kids, in Indianapolis for at-risk youth. Before Survivor, he was a vocational and clinical mentor for troubled teens. He previously worked as a gravedigger and a bartender.

He was joined Sunday by his mother, Georgette. Though she usually doesn't tag along for appearances, she came this time because her sister-in-law, Mira Rodwan, lives in Northside.

Both women were surprised by how many diehard fans turned out for the event.

"It's hard for me to understand, because he's the son I've always known," his mother said. "But I get so many letters that say he reminds the person of their father or son or husband.

"He represents so many people in so many lives. He's the everyman."

The elder Boneham said she knew her son would be a good fit on Survivor.

"I thought he would enjoy playing a game on an island because we always went camping a lot when he was a kid," she said. "So he signed up for it as a lark."

In between appearances, Boneham spends the bulk of his time with wife, Laura, and daughter, Raya, who celebrated her fifth birthday the day he received his $1 million check.

He appreciates that fans have given him such an outpouring of affection.

"It's unreal," he said. "I had a good life before Survivor. Now it's a dream."

He said he still doesn't completely understand his appeal - he sees himself as just another normal guy.

"From what I've read in the fan letters, so many people feel like they have a friend on TV now," he said. "I'm that everyguy guy."

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E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com