List of animal actors

Following is a list of animal actors. Those listed should have either a substantial number of performances or, in rare cases, a high-profile role.

Bears

Name Type Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Bart the Bear Kodiak bear 1977–2000
  • Jody the Bald-headed Bear in The Great Outdoors (1988)
  • The Kodiak Bear in The Bear (1988)
  • Bear in Legends of the Fall (1994)
  • Bear in The Edge (1997)
Bart the Bear 2 Grizzly bear 2000–2021
Brody the Bear Kodiak bear Born 1995
  • Grizzly bear in Grizzly Park (2008)
Bruno American black bear 1962-1981
Hercules Grizzly bear 1975–2001
  • Bear in Octopussy (1983)[3]

Birds

Name Type Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Douglass Scarlet macaw 1967-2019
  • Pippi in the South Seas
Jimmy Raven 1934-?
Mr Percival Australian pelican 1976-2009
  • Storm Boy

Cats

Name Breed Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Grumpy Cat Mixed breed 2012-2019 Also popular as an Internet meme
Morris the Cat Tabby cat Died 1978
  • 58 commercials for 9Lives (1969–1978)
 Won two PATSY Awards for his performances, in 1972 and 1973.
Orangey Tabby cat c. 1950–1967 Two-time PATSY Award winner, for Rhubarb and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Cetaceans

Name Type Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Keiko Orca 1976–2003
Winter Bottlenose dolphin 2005–2021

Dogs

Name Breed Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Ace the Wonder Dog German Shepherd Before 1938–after 1946
Air Buddy Golden Retriever 1988–1998
  • Comet in Full House (1995, 1 episode)
  • Fluke in Fluke (1995) (uncredited)
  • Air Bud in Air Bud (1997)
Brigitte French Bulldog Born 2010 Won the first Golden Collar Award for "Best Dog in a Television Series"[4]
Brownie the Wonder Dog Bull Terrier–Fox Terrier crossbreed
Cook Jack Russell Terrier[5] 2000–2016
Daisy (originally named Spooks) Cocker Spaniel-Poodle-Terrier mix 1937–1960
Gidget Chihuahua 1994–2009
  • Taco Bell commercials (1997–2000)
  • Bruiser's mother in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)
Higgins Mongrel 1957–1975
Jean Border Collie 1902–1916
Jed Wolfdog (timber wolf-Alaskan Malamute[11]) 1977–1995
  • Dog Thing in The Thing (1982) (uncredited)
  • Wolf in The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)
  • White Fang in:
    • White Fang (1991)[12]
    • White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994) (uncredited)
Johnny[13][14] Mongrel 1976–?
Kuma von Clifford Mongrel 2001–2018
Kyte Belgian Tervuren Born 1997
London German Shepherd
  • The title character of The Littlest Hobo (1958)
  • The title character of The Littlest Hobo's television adaptation (1963–1965, 48? episodes)
 While London was the primary actor of the television series, several of London's descendants also played the character. The series was revived and aired from 1979 to 1985. While the dog was credited as London, it was a different dog.
Messi Border Collie Winner of the Palm Dog Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival
Mike[19] Border Collie
Moonie Chihuahua 1998–2016
  • Bruiser Woods in:
    • Legally Blonde (2001)
    • Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)
Moose Jack Russell Terrier 1990–2006
  • Eddie in Frasier (1993–2004, 164 episodes)
  • Old Skip in My Dog Skip (2000)
Mushu Pug
Pal Rough Collie 1940–1958
Pal the Wonder Dog[21] American Pit Bull Terrier 1924–1930
  • Tige, Buster Brown's dog, in numerous films, from Educating Buster (1925) to Stop Barking (1929)
  • Pete the Pup in Our Gang shorts
  • The Wonder Dog Pal in The Freshman (1925) (uncredited)
 Died of poisoning after eating tainted meat.
Rin Tin Tin German Shepherd 1918–1932
Peggy Pug and Chinese Crested Dog mix Won the title of "Britain's ugliest dog"
Shep Collie Died 1914
Skippy Wire Fox Terrier 1931–1951
Soccer Jack Russell Terrier 1998–2001
Spike Mastador - Labrador Retriever/Mastiff crossbreed 1952–1962
  • King in The She-Creature (1956)
  • Old Yeller in Old Yeller (1957)
  • Patrasche in A Dog of Flanders (1959)
  • Brown in The Westerner (1960, TV series)
  • Pete in The Silent Call (1961)
 Won the PATSY Award for Old Yeller
Strongheart German Shepherd 1917–1929
Terry Cairn Terrier 1933–1945
  • Ready for Love (1934) (uncredited)[23]
  • Rags in Bright Eyes (uncredited)[23]
  • Rainbow in Fury (uncredited)[23]
  • Toto in Barefoot Boy (1938)
  • Pet Dog in Stablemates (1938) (uncredited)[23]
  • Toto in The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Uggie Parson Russell Terrier 2002–2015
  • Queenie in Water for Elephants (2011)
  • The Dog in The Artist (2011)
 Won numerous awards for his performance in The Artist, including the Palm Dog Award during the Cannes Film Festival.

Elephants

Name Type Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Chirakkal Kalidasan Asian elephant Born 1980
Tai Asian elephant 1968-2021

Horses

Name Breed Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Bamboo Harvester American Saddlebred/part-Arabian 1949–1970
  • Mister Ed in Mister Ed (1961–1966, 145 episodes)
Buttermilk Quarter Horse 1941–1972 Dale Evans' famous horse; see also Trigger, the horse of Evans' husband, Roy Rogers.
Hightower[24] Quarter Horse 1982–2008
  • Ginger in Black Beauty (1994)[24]
  • Pilgrim in The Horse Whisperer (1998)[24][25]
  • Horse in Runaway Bride (1999)[24]
Tony the Wonder Horse or Tony the Horse Died 1942 Western star Tom Mix's horse (who often received equal billing) in most of Mix's films.
Trigger Palomino 1934–1965 Famous as Roy Rogers' horse; see also Buttermilk, the horse of Rogers' wife Dale Evans. Won a PATSY Award for Son of Paleface.

Primates

Name Type Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Crystal the Monkey Capuchin monkey Born 1994
  • Monkey in George of the Jungle (1997)
  • Drunk Monkey in:
  • Dexter in:
    • Night at the Museum (2006)
    • Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) (uncredited)
    • Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)
  • Drug-dealing Monkey in The Hangover Part II (2011)
  • Donald the Monkey in Zookeeper (2011) (uncredited)
  • Dr. Rizzo in Animal Practice (2012–2013, seven episodes)
  • Security in Total Dhamaal (2019)
J. Fred Muggs Chimpanzee Born 1952
Jiggs Chimpanzee c. 1929–1938
Josephine Capuchin monkey c. 1907[26]–?
Kokomo Jr. Chimpanzee There were at least two chimpanzees, who performed on alternate days to avoid overwork.
Pankun Chimpanzee Born 2001
  • Japanese television shows
    • Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen (天才！志村動物園, lit. Genius! Shimura Zoo)
    • Dōbutsu Kisō Tengai! (どうぶつ奇想天外!, lit. Unbelievable Animals!)
 Retired after attacking and severely injuring a zoo staff trainee.
Rancho Monkey
Travis Chimpanzee Born 1995 Disputed as to whether he was the same chimpanzee who acted in all of his claimed appearances.[33]

Reptiles

Name Type Lifespan Partial credits Notes
Frank Asian water monitor 2003-2021
  • Jessie
Pocho Crocodile Died 2011
  • Touching the Dragon
  • Dragon's Feast

See also

References

  1. ^ Watts, Amanda (November 25, 2021). "Bear featured in countless films and TV shows dies". CNN. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. ^ Frishberg, Hannah (November 26, 2021). "'Game of Thrones' actor and grizzly Bart the Bear II dead at 21". New York Post. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "Hercules: An A to Z of Scotland's famous grizzly bear". BBC News. BBC. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Golden Collar Awards name The Artist's Uggie top dog". Associated Press. February 14, 2012 – via CBC News.
  5. ^ Caballero, Javier (2008). "Así vive el perro con más suerte de España". El Mundo (in Spanish). Mundinteractivos, S.A. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Caballero, Javier (2008). "Así vive el perro con más suerte de España". El Mundo (in Spanish). Mundinteractivos, S.A. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  7. ^ da Costa, Diego (February 14, 2017). "Así era Cook, el inolvidable Valentín de 'Aquí no hay quien viva'". Formula TV (in Spanish). Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  8. ^ Cook at IMDb
  9. ^ "'Pancho', el perro más rico de España, tendrá su propia película". Antena 3 Noticias (in Spanish). Madrid: Atresmedia. August 16, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  10. ^ Márquez, Jesús (June 5, 2014). "'Pancho, el perro millonario': La peli de Pancho con media ración de Pancho". Ecartelera (in Spanish). Noxvo. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  11. ^ Cagle, Jess (8 February 1991). "Big-screen wolves". Entertainment Weekly. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  12. ^ Maslin, Janet (18 January 1991). "Review/Film; Wolf Meets Civilization". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  13. ^ John Goudas - King Features (June 29, 1980). "Things Boom For Johnny". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  14. ^ "'Here's Boomer,' the Friendliest Dog in Town". Kentucky New Era. October 23, 1980. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  15. ^ Dainty, Sophie (10 March 2016). "The tragic tale of EastEnders' multiple Wellards: How three doggie generations failed to outlive Dean Gaffney". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  16. ^ Wallis, Sara (5 August 2008). "EastEnders dog Wellard to be killed off". The Daily Mirror. MGN Limited. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  17. ^ "15 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Gladiator". ShortList. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  18. ^ "End for EastEnders dog Wellard". BBC News. BBC. August 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  19. ^ "'Down and Out' Dog's Career is Anything But". The Orlando Sentinel. Chicago Tribune. 13 February 1986. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  20. ^ Beaumont, Mark (18 August 2015). "10 Brilliant Animal TV & Movie Stars: Where Are They Now?". NME. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  21. ^ Flaim, Denise (4 February 2021). "American Staffordshire Terrier History: How the AmStaff Separated From the "Pit Bull"". American Kennel Club.
  22. ^ Lileks, James (8 March 2019). "The famous dog that bit 'Thin Man' co-star Myrna Loy". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d Braswell, Sean (25 August 2014). "From Carpet-Wetter To Film Icon: How Terry The Terrier Became Toto". NPR.
  24. ^ a b c d Berkery, Kristin (4 January 2012). "War horse and those amazing equine actors". I Love Horses. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  25. ^ "Hightower. Equine Actor, One in a Million". Horse & Man. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  26. ^ a b "Image / Josephine, most famous monkey". Calisphere.
  27. ^ a b c d "Best of the Best - Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd". slapstick.org.uk. Slapstick Festival.
  28. ^ a b c Balducci, Anthony (10 January 2010). The Funny Parts: A History of Film Comedy Routines and Gags. McFarland. pp. 37–39. ISBN 9780786488933.
  29. ^ "The Cameraman". The Criterion Collection.
  30. ^ "74. The Circus (1928)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on February 4, 2007.
  31. ^ "Motion Pictures featuring monkeys and apes". Wisconsin National Primate Research Center.
  32. ^ a b c d e "Rancho the monkey of Raja Aur Rancho emerges a star". India Today. September 8, 1997. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  33. ^ Lee, Dan P. (2011-01-21). "Travis the Menace". New York Magazine. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  • v
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Animal actors
Dogs
Primates
(non-human)HorsesBearsCats
Birds
ElephantsCetaceans
  • Keiko (orca)
  • Winter (dolphin)
Reptiles
  • Pocho (crocodile)
  • Frank (lizard)
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