In Zookeeper, Griffin proposes to Stephanie, who turns him down partly because she does not want him to remain a zookeeper.
The 2011 comedy stars Kevin James as Griffin Keyes, a dedicated keeper at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo. In the opening flashback, Griffin proposes marriage to his girlfriend Stephanie, played by Leslie Bibb. She rejects him because she believes his zoo career is holding him back and does not fit the life she wants.
Five years later, Griffin is still affected by the breakup when he encounters Stephanie again at his brother’s engagement party. The zoo animals, who secretly can talk, decide to help him win her back. Their advice leads Griffin to experiment with changing his personality and pursuing a more prestigious-looking career.
The story eventually challenges the idea that success requires abandoning work you genuinely love. Griffin’s relationship with Stephanie is contrasted with his growing connection to Karen, a fellow zoo employee who accepts his identity and passion for animals.