The world of cinema has long been fascinated by our four-legged friends, often making them the stars of the show. These furry actors steal scenes and our hearts, leaving paw prints long after the credits roll. Most of these furry celebrities started out as strays, proving that there are plenty of talented pups found at rescues and shelters. Let’s delve into some interesting facts about dogs in movies, shedding light on their contributions to the silver screen.
1. Higgins, who played Benji
Perhaps one of the most talented canine actors was Higgins, a Terrier mix best known for his role as “Benji” in the 1974 movie of the same name. Previously, Higgins played in the TV series “Petticoat Junction” showcasing an incredible range of emotions for a dog. His legacy is so enduring that his trainer, Frank Inn, believed Higgins could understand English due to his ability to follow complex commands and scripts. After a 14-year career, “Benji” was his last acting role. His urn is inside the casket of Inn, who had rescued Higgins from the Burbank Animal Shelter.
2. Terry, The Wizard of Oz’s Toto
Toto, one of the most iconic dogs in movie history, was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry. Terry was so successful in her role that she appeared in 13 more movies after The Wizard of Oz (1939). She was paid $125 per week, more than the Munchkin actors at the time. Terry was adopted by a man who ran a dog training school. One day, Clark Gable and Hedda Hopper stopped by the kennel for some publicity with a dog on Gable’s new film, Call of the Wild. The trainer used this Hollywood connection to take Terry to audition for a Shirley Temple film (Bright Eyes). She was cast and her Hollywood career launched. The Wizard star, Judy Garland, reportedly became fond of Terry and tried to adopt her.
4. Pal, the original Lassie
Lassie is a fictional female collie who was featured in a 1940 novel, Lassie Come-Home. The novel was made into a movie in 1943 as Lassie Come Home, with a dog named Pal playing Lassie. Pal then appeared with the stage name “Lassie” in six other feature films through 1951. Pal’s owner and trainer acquired the Lassie name and trademark from MGM and appeared with Pal (as “Lassie”) at rodeos, fairs, and similar events across America in the early 1950s. In 1954, the television series Lassie debuted, and, over the next 19 years, a succession of Pal’s descendants appeared on the series. Pal lived to be 18 years old.
5. Moose and Enzo play Eddie from the TV show Frasier
Eddie, the adorable Jack Russell terrier who provided a comedic foil for the human actors on the popular TV series Frasier, was actually played by two dogs – Moose and his son Enzo. Moose was given up by his family in Florida because of rambunctious behavior, including chewing and escaping his enclosure. Fortunately, he was discovered by professional Hollywood dog trainer Mathilde de Cagny, who had trained numerous animal actors. After only six months of training, the super-smart pup landed the TV role. Moose retired at the end of season seven, and his look-alike son, Enzo, took over until the series ended. Eddie received the most fan mail of any of the cast members on Fraser and was the only member of the cast to appear on the cover of Entertainment Weekly.
6. Rinty, who played Rin Tin Tin
Born in 1918, Rinty, a German shepherd, starred in twenty-three blockbuster silent films over 10 years that saved the studio from bankruptcy and made him the most famous dog in the world. Rin Tin Tin was Hollywood’s number one box office star at the height of his popularity. Rinty’s story started on a battlefield in France during World War I, when a young American soldier discovered a newborn German shepherd in the ruins of a bombed-out dog kennel, according to a book about the dog star by Susan Orlean. The soldier brought Rinty home to California, where the dog’s athleticism and acting ability drew the attention of Warner Bros. After his successful Hollywood run, Rinty reproduced and his descendants rose and fell with the times, making a tumultuous journey from silent films to talkies, from black-and-white to color, from radio programs to one of the most popular television shows of the 1960s, The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin.
7. Spike, who starred in Old Yeller
Spike, born in 1952, was a lop-eared yellow Mastador (Mastiff/Labrador retriever crossbreed) and a dog actor best known for his performance as the title character in the 1957 film Old Yeller, based on a popular book. Spike was rescued as a pup from a shelter in California, and became the pet and pupil of animal trainer Frank Weatherwax. Old Yeller is the story of how a boy encounters a stray dog known for stealing food. The family nevertheless takes him in and Old Yeller soon proves himself invaluable in protecting the family. When Old Yeller contracts rabies from a wolf and has to be put down, the scene is remembered as one of the most tearful in cinematic history. After Old Yeller, Spike appeared in several more movies and TV shows.\
Conclusion
The inclusion of dogs in movies does more than just provide cute and cuddly characters; it highlights the deep connection between humans and animals. These animal actors bring a sense of realism and emotional depth to their roles, often becoming as integral to the story as their human counterparts.
Their performances remind us of the unspoken bond we share with our pets and the joy they bring into our lives, both on and off the screen. As we celebrate these furry stars, let’s remember the joy, laughter, and sometimes tears they’ve brought us through their unforgettable performances.
