Who are some of the most famous animal actors?
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Lassie (Pal) 1940 -1958
Pal the Rough Collie was born in North Hollywood and sold as a “pet quality only" dog because of his large eyes and the white blaze on his forhead, features that were detrimental to his potential as a champion of his breed, but would help make him famous later on. He was bought at eight months old and brought to Rudd Weatherwax, who spent a great deal of time trying to train Pal not to bark incessantly and to stop chasing motorcycles. He did get the barking under control, but he couldn’t stop the dog from chasing motorbikes.
When Weatherwax learned of the casting of “Lassie Come Home” he knew Pal would be right for the part, and in 1943 the now famous canine made his screen debut in the first of many roles he would play over his career as an animal actor.
For various reasons, the role of Lassie the female collie was always played by a male, their slightly larger size and the fact they did not shed their coat each summer both playing a role in the decision. Under trainer Rudd Weatherwax, Pal and 8 of his offspring would be part of show business for several decades.
Morris the Cat (Lucky) ? - 1975
In 1968 professional animal handler Bob Martwick discovered the “world’s most finicky cat” in an animal shelter in Chicago. “Lucky” the stray red tabby cat went on to live up to his name and became an icon, featured in countless “9 lives cat food” commercials, shared screen time with Burt Reynolds in the movie Shamus in 1972; and was the subject of a book Morris: An Intimate Biography (1974) by Mary Daniels.
Since the original Morris the Cat’s death in 1975, the role has been played by a series of rescued shelter cats, each of them making the leap from stray to star and living the lifestyle other cats just dream about.
Toto (Terry) 1933 – 1944
Terry the black Cairn Terrier made a place for herself in cinematic history when she played the part of Toto in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. She was paid a whopping $125 per week, making her one of the best paid actors in the movie, human or otherwise. She worked with Carl Spitz, who managed Terry’s career over 13 movies as she worked with stars such as Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy as well as Judy Garland. Her autobiography “I, Toto” was wriging by Willard Carroll.
Trigger (Golden Cloud) 1932 – 1965
Roy Roger’s loyal steed Trigger started his acting career with a different name, a different movie genre and a different rider. He was Maid Marion’s mount in the 1938 movie “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and was one of five “rental” horses offered to Roy Rogers when he was preparing to make his first film. Trigger’s distinctive golden palomino coloring, quick mind and good nature earned him the role of Roy Rogers, who bought him later that same year and renamed him Trigger for his quick feet and clever mind. He stayed with Roy for the rest of his life, starring in many movies and the Roy Rogers television series. After his death Trigger was allowed to live on in taxidermy, and was housed in the Roy Rogers and Dale Evan’s museum until its closure in 2009.
Eddy (Moose) 1990 – 2006
Born Christmas Day, Moose the Jack Russell Terrier was born to be bad. He loved to chase cats, chew on everything, barked incessantly and was a master at escaping his yard and climbing trees. Unable to cope, his owners gave him to the Florida manager of Birds and Animals unlimited, a company that specializes in training animals for show business.
He won the role of “Eddie” on the hit TV show Frasier after only 6 months of training and spent the rest of his life enjoying his fame. At the peak of the show’s popularity this pint sized pooch was getting more fan mail than any of his human co-stars. Moose was notoriously indifferent to his human coworkers and to get him to lick or nuzzle them the actors were reduced to painting their faces with sardine oil and putting liver pate behind their ears.
Moose retired two years before the series ended, and he was replaced on the show by his son Enzo.
Pal the Rough Collie was born in North Hollywood and sold as a “pet quality only" dog because of his large eyes and the white blaze on his forhead, features that were detrimental to his potential as a champion of his breed, but would help make him famous later on. He was bought at eight months old and brought to Rudd Weatherwax, who spent a great deal of time trying to train Pal not to bark incessantly and to stop chasing motorcycles. He did get the barking under control, but he couldn’t stop the dog from chasing motorbikes.
When Weatherwax learned of the casting of “Lassie Come Home” he knew Pal would be right for the part, and in 1943 the now famous canine made his screen debut in the first of many roles he would play over his career as an animal actor.
For various reasons, the role of Lassie the female collie was always played by a male, their slightly larger size and the fact they did not shed their coat each summer both playing a role in the decision. Under trainer Rudd Weatherwax, Pal and 8 of his offspring would be part of show business for several decades.
Morris the Cat (Lucky) ? - 1975
In 1968 professional animal handler Bob Martwick discovered the “world’s most finicky cat” in an animal shelter in Chicago. “Lucky” the stray red tabby cat went on to live up to his name and became an icon, featured in countless “9 lives cat food” commercials, shared screen time with Burt Reynolds in the movie Shamus in 1972; and was the subject of a book Morris: An Intimate Biography (1974) by Mary Daniels.
Since the original Morris the Cat’s death in 1975, the role has been played by a series of rescued shelter cats, each of them making the leap from stray to star and living the lifestyle other cats just dream about.
Toto (Terry) 1933 – 1944
Terry the black Cairn Terrier made a place for herself in cinematic history when she played the part of Toto in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. She was paid a whopping $125 per week, making her one of the best paid actors in the movie, human or otherwise. She worked with Carl Spitz, who managed Terry’s career over 13 movies as she worked with stars such as Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy as well as Judy Garland. Her autobiography “I, Toto” was wriging by Willard Carroll.
Trigger (Golden Cloud) 1932 – 1965
Roy Roger’s loyal steed Trigger started his acting career with a different name, a different movie genre and a different rider. He was Maid Marion’s mount in the 1938 movie “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and was one of five “rental” horses offered to Roy Rogers when he was preparing to make his first film. Trigger’s distinctive golden palomino coloring, quick mind and good nature earned him the role of Roy Rogers, who bought him later that same year and renamed him Trigger for his quick feet and clever mind. He stayed with Roy for the rest of his life, starring in many movies and the Roy Rogers television series. After his death Trigger was allowed to live on in taxidermy, and was housed in the Roy Rogers and Dale Evan’s museum until its closure in 2009.
Eddy (Moose) 1990 – 2006
Born Christmas Day, Moose the Jack Russell Terrier was born to be bad. He loved to chase cats, chew on everything, barked incessantly and was a master at escaping his yard and climbing trees. Unable to cope, his owners gave him to the Florida manager of Birds and Animals unlimited, a company that specializes in training animals for show business.
He won the role of “Eddie” on the hit TV show Frasier after only 6 months of training and spent the rest of his life enjoying his fame. At the peak of the show’s popularity this pint sized pooch was getting more fan mail than any of his human co-stars. Moose was notoriously indifferent to his human coworkers and to get him to lick or nuzzle them the actors were reduced to painting their faces with sardine oil and putting liver pate behind their ears.
Moose retired two years before the series ended, and he was replaced on the show by his son Enzo.
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Among dogs, a jack russell terrier named Moose co-starred as "Eddie" on "Frasier" for seven years on NBC.