Top 14 Legendary Animal Celebrities in Hollywood's Glittering Past

W.C. Fields famously warned against working with children or animals, a mantra echoed in Hollywood, where actors dread being overshadowed or, worse, subjected to unexpected messes. Yet, exceptions abound, with countless non-human performers captivating audiences. Discover intriguing details about the most unforgettable animal stars to grace the screen.

Puzzums

Cat owners often attest that felines are notoriously difficult to direct. Renowned animal trainer Henry “Curley” Twiford once remarked that cats are among the most challenging animals to train. This might explain why dogs have historically outshined cats in films. However, Puzzums, a standout feline from the 1920s, defied the odds, effortlessly stealing the spotlight in every scene.

Puzzums, believed to have been a stray, was adopted by sisters Katherine and Nadine Dennis, both actresses. After showcasing him at the Los Angeles Cat Club Show in 1927, the feline began receiving offers for film roles. Beyond his photogenic appeal, Puzzums excelled at performing tricks, such as drinking from a baby bottle or wearing glasses. Some even claimed he could cross his eyes on cue.

Puzzums secured a studio contract worth $250 weekly, appearing in numerous films for brief, memorable scenes. In 1934, after a close call with electrocution, Nadine decided to retire him. However, actor Will Rogers persuaded her to let Puzzums take on one final role in Handy Andy, where he famously ordered a chocolate nut sundae. Sadly, Puzzums later died, reportedly from a spider bite or possibly an infected tooth.

Douglas the Parrot

Despite having only one film appearance, Douglas the Parrot left a lasting impression. In the 1971 adaptation of the Pippi Longstocking series, Pippi in the South Seas, the scarlet macaw played a menacing bird targeting Pippi’s father. Years later, Douglas gained attention when he faced euthanasia in Sweden in 2003 due to doubts about his legal import status. A petition with 50,000 signatures saved him after a former owner confirmed his legal citizenship. Douglas lived to the impressive age of 51.

Rin Tin Tin

Rin Tin Tin, a German shepherd, was born in France during World War I in 1918. He and his sister were rescued from a bombed kennel by American soldier Lee Duncan, who named them after good luck charm dolls, Rin Tin Tin and Nanette. While Nanette didn’t survive, Rin Tin Tin’s charm, expressive demeanor, and obedience propelled him to stardom. He starred in numerous films, including his breakthrough, Where the North Begins, earning thousands of fan letters and a weekly salary of $2000.

Many believed Rinty played a crucial role in sustaining Warner Bros. during its financially challenging early years. His fame also led to lucrative endorsements, including a memorable incident where a dog food executive ate a can of his product live to demonstrate its quality.

Rin Tin Tin’s death in 1932 was mourned like that of a human celebrity. Several radio stations paused regular programming to announce the news. Lee Duncan continued his legacy by training Rin Tin Tin’s descendants for roles, including a TV series, though none matched the original’s charisma and resilience.

Bart the Bear

Few animal actors have headlined their own films, but Bart, a massive Kodiak bear, broke the mold. Trained by Doug Seus, the 1800-pound, nearly 10-foot-tall bear starred in 1989’s The Bear. Known for his calm demeanor, Bart defied nature by working alongside a cub, which male brown bears typically view as prey.

Bart’s career flourished with roles in films like The Edge alongside Anthony Hopkins and Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt—a testament to his reliability. In 1998, he even shared the stage with Mike Myers to present an Academy Award.

Bart died in 2000, and Doug Seus later trained another bear, Bart II, who appeared in films and TV shows like Game of Thrones until his death in 2021.

Buddy

Buddy, the canine star of the iconic basketball film Air Bud, first gained fame after appearing on Late Night With David Letterman in 1991 with his trainer, Kevin DiCicco. Kevin found Buddy as a stray and soon realized the dog had a unique talent for basketball, effortlessly sinking shots into a regulation hoop. Film producer Robert Vince, after seeing Buddy on Letterman, invited them for a demonstration, leading to Buddy’s big break.

This paved the way for Air Bud, a heartwarming tale of a dog joining a middle school basketball team. Released in 1997, the film was a commercial success and won over critics like Roger Ebert, who praised its charm and entertainment value, noting he genuinely cared about the game’s outcome.

Buddy passed away in 1998, missing the chance to star in the football-themed sequel, Air Bud: Golden Receiver. DiCicco reportedly preserved Buddy’s sperm in an attempt to continue his athletic lineage, though it’s unclear if any offspring pursued acting. Reflecting Buddy’s unmatched talent, five dogs were needed to fill his role in the sequel.

A popular myth suggests Buddy, the golden retriever, also played Comet on Full House. However, Comet was portrayed by a dog of the same name. Buddy did, however, step in for a basketball scene in the Full House episode “Air Jesse,” where Comet needed to score a basket. This episode aired two years before Air Bud hit theaters.

Orangey

Deciphering Orangey’s filmography is no easy task. This orange tabby cat appeared in numerous films under various stage names, including Miranda and Rhubarb, but his role alongside Audrey Hepburn in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s cemented his fame. Known for his unpredictable behavior, Orangey often escaped sets, forcing studios to station guard dogs at exits to keep him on track.

Some speculate that Orangey was a collective name for multiple cats trained by Hollywood animal handler Frank Inn, sparking online debates to identify which Orangey appeared in which film.

Jimmy the Raven

Can you name the only actor who starred in both 1939’s The Wizard of Oz and 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life? It’s Jimmy the Raven, a charismatic bird who won over James Stewart in the Frank Capra classic and perched on the Scarecrow in the L. Frank Baum adaptation.

Jimmy reportedly caused a mix-up on the set of It's a Wonderful Life when Capra called for Jimmy to enter a scene, and the raven flew in instead. To avoid confusion, Capra started referring to Stewart as “J.S.”

Trained by animal handler Henry “Curley” Twiford, Jimmy the Raven was said to have the intelligence of an 8-year-old. The bird knew around 200 words, could type on a typewriter, and even ride a miniature bike. MGM, where Jimmy frequently worked, insured him for $10,000. By 1950, Curley—known for his tall tales—claimed Jimmy had over 1000 film credits. (He also used 21 stand-ins for scenes requiring minimal movement.) In comparison, Jimmy Stewart only appeared in about 80 films.

Higgins

Frank Inn, an animal trainer, once called Higgins, a dog he rescued from a Burbank shelter, the “smartest dog ever.” Higgins showcased his versatility as the star of Petticoat Junction (1963-1970), where Inn claimed the dog mastered a new trick weekly for seven years. His career peaked with the 1974 film Benji, which brought him out of retirement.

Higgins died in 1978 at 19 years old. When Inn passed away in 2002, he wished to be buried with Higgins’s ashes, though California law prohibits such a practice.

Arnold Ziffel

Arnold Ziffel, the adored pig from Green Acres (1965-1971), was actually portrayed by multiple piglets, one per season. These pigs were trained to perform tricks like turning off TVs and pulling carts, adding humor and charm to the show.

When the series ended, a rumor spread that the cast had cooked and eaten the latest Arnold, a dark tale likely originating from a joke by actor Tom Lester. Thankfully, Arnold was spared, and the pigs were sent to live on a farm.

Trigger the Horse

In the 1940s, Roy Rogers, the singing cowboy, often shared the screen with his equine co-star, Trigger. Together, they starred in roughly 80 films, with Trigger even receiving top billing on posters. After Trigger’s death in 1965 at age 30, Rogers had him preserved in a rearing pose. The mounted horse was later auctioned in 2010, fetching $266,500.

Max

Max, a Jack Russell terrier, achieved the rare feat of outshining Jim Carrey in the 1994 film The Mask. Playing Milo, Carrey’s dog, Max won the role over a Corgi and even improvised a Frisbee scene. Impressed, the studio rewrote the ending to feature him more prominently and arranged a limo for his premiere appearance. Before this breakout role, Max had only appeared once, as a space rat in the 1992 film Mom and Dad Save the World.

Keiko

The 1990s classic Free Willy tells the touching story of an orca in captivity who bonds with a boy and ultimately gains freedom. Keiko, the orca who played Willy, didn’t have a perfect ending, but his story remains unforgettable.

Keiko was caught near Iceland in 1979 and spent over a decade in aquariums and theme parks, where he became increasingly stressed. When the Free Willy team chose him for the film, his charm and intelligence captivated everyone. Co-star Lori Petty recalled that Keiko would spray water when ignored and even avoided a stunt that could have harmed a child actor.

The popularity of Free Willy highlighted the struggles of captive orcas, sparking efforts to return them to the wild. Keiko was relocated to the Oregon coast for recovery, then transported to Iceland and later Norwegian waters. However, after years in captivity, he struggled to adapt and died in 2003. Despite the sad outcome, Keiko’s story likely spared many orcas from a life of confinement.

Crystal the Monkey

While Marcel from Friends is beloved, Crystal has arguably achieved more in Hollywood. This capuchin monkey has starred in numerous hits, including Night at the Museum, The Hangover Part II, and We Bought a Zoo. In 2012, Crystal landed a co-starring role on NBC’s Animal Practice, where she reportedly tested higher in audience appeal than any other new character that season. How her human co-stars, like Justin Kirk, felt about this remains unknown.

Crystal began her career at a Universal Studios animal show, impressing trainers with her calm demeanor. Unlike other capuchins, she remained composed even in chaotic environments. Loud noises and bright lights on film sets don’t bother her, and she continues to work today. Capuchins can live up to 50 years, so her career is far from over.

Leo the Lion

The most iconic animal in cinema history isn’t known for its acting skills but for its roar. Leo the Lion has been the enduring symbol of Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) since the studio’s founding in 1924.

The MGM lion traces its origins to the late 1910s. Legend has it that Howard Dietz, tasked with creating a logo for Goldwyn Pictures, drew inspiration from Columbia University’s mascot, a lion featured in the school magazine. When MGM formed in 1924, a lion named Slats became the first to embody the iconic logo.

Jackie, one of the most famous lions, earned the nickname “Leo the Lucky” after surviving numerous disasters, including an earthquake, a sinking boat, and even a plane crash over Arizona during a publicity tour.

The lion most recognized today is also named Leo, who served as the MGM mascot from 1957 until 2021, when the studio—now owned by Amazon—replaced him with a CGI version.

Urban legends have swirled around the mascot. In 2015, a viral image falsely claimed to show a lion strapped to a table for filming; it was actually a lion undergoing a CAT scan. Another myth suggested a Leo went rogue during filming, killing trainers—a story debunked, as such an incident would hardly align with the studio’s image.