Man has always had a love affair with dogs. This is evident in the roles dogs play in advertisements, television programs and films. With hundreds, possible thousands, of canine actors playing various roles over the years there are a few standout stars. These standouts come from silent films television commercials and will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. Here is a list of 7 canine superstars who deserve 4 paws up in our book:
1. Strongheart was a male German Shepherd Dog born in Germany during October of 1917 and grew to a stunning 125 pounds. Strongheart paved the way as one of the first canine stars with roles in many movies during the 1920s including White Fang and The Return of Boston Blackie. Originally trained as an attack dog, Strongheart adapted well to his new found fame. He died as a result of injuries on a movie set in 1929 and is forever immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2. Rin Tin Tin was a male German Shepherd Dog found by Corporal Lee Duncan during World War I in 1918. Duncan brought him back to the states soon after and began taking him to dogs shows where his talents were soon discovered. Before his death in 1932, Rin Tin Tin stared in 26 films for Warner Brothers. His bloodline continues to this day and his memory is preserved with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. 3. Lassie is the stage name for several dog actors including Pal a Collie born in California in 1940. Pal played the title role Lassie in a series of movies during the 1940s, tow of them with Elizabeth Taylor. Pals descendants stared in the successful television series Lassie that ran from 1954-1973. Lassies popularity continues today with recent releases of remakes of the original. Lassie rounds out the list of the three dog actors on the Walk of Fame today.
4. Eddie Crane was the lovable Jack Russell Terrier who started as Eddie Crane in the television sitcom Frasier broadcasted on NBC from 1993 to 2004. Eddie was played by Moose who was born in 1990 and given up by his original family for being too hard to handle. Moose was adopted by trainer Mathilde DeCagny and earned the Frasier role after just 6 months. Moose graced the covers of several national magazines and received more fan mail than his human counterparts during the height of the shows popularity. Sadly, Moose passed away in June of 2006.
5. Benji is the stage name for several mixed breed dogs staring in a series of movies from 1974 through the 200s. Benji was originally played by a dog named Higgins found in n animal shelter in Burbank, California by trainer Frank Inn. Benjis daughter continued the role in three movies in the 1980s with her ears painted to match her fathers. In 2004 the role of Benji was reprised by a shelter dog from Gulfport, Mississippi after a nationwide 3 month search.
6. Spuds MacKenzie was a fictional dog introduced by Bud Light beer in 1987. Spuds was billed as the ultimate party animal and was always accompanied by beautiful women known as Spudettes. Spuds was played by a female English Bull Terrier named Honey Tree Evil Eye who died of kidney failure in 1993. Spuds was so famous that news of her death was announced on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
7. Toto was the adorable dog who played Dorothys side kick in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. Toto was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry who was paid $125 per week for her work in the film. Toto was quite popular and made almost 3 times as much as the Munchkin singers. Terry the Cairn Terrier stared in 13 different films before dying at the age of 10.
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