Yahoo Movies UK
What Happened To These Famous Movie Animals?
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Uggie, the charismatic Jack Russell who made his name in ‘The Artist’, was put to sleep aged 13 earlier this year, after suffering from cancer. Stealing every scene he was in, Uggie joins a long and venerable line of Hollywood stars from the animal kingdom. Let’s have a look at some of his most notable compatriots… (Image Credits: Rex Features)
- 2/10
Uggie – The Artist Uggie was rescued from the dog pound by his trainer Omar Von Muller, and went on to Hollywood stardom, making his first big splash in 'Water For Elephants’ alongside Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. But worldwide acclaim came with his role as Jack in the Oscar-trawling 'The Artist’ in 2011, the loyal companion of Jean Dujardin’s has-been silent movie star George Valentin.
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Lassie - Lassie Come Home The original Lassie (from 1943’s 'Lassie Come Home’), Pal, was one of Hollywood’s first four-legged greats (we’re not counting Laurel & Hardy here). The luvvy Rough Collie retired in 1954 to a life of total luxury. We’re talking specialist groomers, custom-made food… Pal even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He fathered five puppies that went on to play Lassie themselves in movies and on TV before he died a peaceful ol’ mutt in 1958.
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The pigs – Babe Incredibly, there were 48 piglets used throughout the filming of 1995’s porcine smash hit 'Babe’, all of whom - you’ll be glad to know - were spared that dreaded visit to the slaughterhouse. They lived their days out on various farms, without a sausage in sight. Which is the least they could do for the swines, considering they helped the movie make over $250m at the box office and snaffle seven Oscar nominations!
- 5/10
Clyde - Every Which Way But Loose Clyde the orang-utan from '70s Clint Eastwood curio 'Every Which Way But Loose’ was allegedly beaten to death by his sometime trainer after filming finished. No charges were ever brought against the trainer, but rumour has it Clyde was secretly hit with a stick off the set to make him more docile and camera-friendly. A depressing Hollywood urban myth that will probably never be proven. Thankfully all films now using animals are now monitored extremely closely, with welfare absolutely paramount.
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Keiko – Free Willy Keiko, the killer whale from 'Free Willy’ was captured in 1979 and exhibited in a Mexican marine park until 1992, when shooting began on the kid’s film. The success of the movie saw activists protest for the release of Keiko, successfully. He was finally released back into the wild in 2001 in Norway and died a natural death 18 months later.
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Beasley – Turner and Hooch French Mastiff Beasley from '80’s comedy 'Turner & Hooch’ made no further screen credits after he was seen drinking beer with Tom Hanks and slobbering everywhere and died three years later, at an impressive 14-years-old - twice the average age of French Mastiffs. Must’ve been all that booze, we reckon…
- 8/10
Crystal The Monkey – The Hangover Part II When director Todd Phillips joked that Crystal, the monkey from 'The Hangover 2’, had got hooked on fags while making 'The Hangover II’, it got him in all sorts of bother with animal welfare group PETA. He later clarified that the cigarette was ceramic and the smoke added afterwards in post production. 'Hangover’ co-star Ken Jeong, who also worked with Crystal on TV show 'Community’ has said: “She’s amazing. She’s not a monkey, she’s an actor. And quite possibly the best actor I’ve worked with.” Meanwhile, her movies, which include the 'Night at the Museum’ series, 'American Pie’ and '3:10 To Yuma’, have grossed over $1.5 billion at the box office. No small bananas, that. She lives with her trainer Tom Gunderson in Los Angeles, reportedly sharing a bed with him, his wife, another capuchin called Squirt and a chihuahua.
- 9/10
Toto - The Wizard of Oz Toto from The 'Wizard of Oz’ (real name: Terry) was a real acting pro. Prior to ‘Oz’, Terry had been in six feature films. Post-‘Oz’, a further eight. Incredibly, Terry used to earn more than most of the human actors on-set. She picked up $125 per week on 'The Wizard of Oz’ – a fair old amount in 1939.
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The horses – Seabiscuit Six horses were used in the 2003 Tobey Maguire flick 'Seabiscuit’. The one used for the racing scenes was the successful American thoroughbred and punter’s favourite, Popcorn Deelites. He continued his successful racing career after the film, winning multiple races back home in Colorado and an accumulated purse of $56,880. He’s now relaxing in a horsey retirement paddock in Georgetown, Kentucky. Probably eating a well-deserved carrot.
Uggie, the charismatic Jack Russell who made his name in ‘The Artist’, was put to sleep aged 13 earlier this year, after suffering from cancer. Stealing every scene he was in, Uggie joins a long and venerable line of Hollywood stars from the animal kingdom. Let’s have a look at some of his most notable compatriots… (Image Credits: Rex Features)