Uggie, the Jack Russell who became Hollywood’s sweetheart with Oscar-winning film The Artist, has nuzzled elbows with some of the industry’s biggest names, including the eternally endearing Betty White. He has walked dozens of red carpets, appeared on talk shows, and has a couple of acting credits under his collar in addition to The Artist.
This week Uggie’s contribution to show business was commemorated with a spot in the famed Grauman’s Chinese Theatre courtyard in the heart of Hollywood. Placing his little paws in the wet cement that would become his tile outside the landmark theater, Uggie became the first canine to be so honored. While other dogs — such as Lassie and Rin Tin Tin — have stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Uggie is the only dog to be featured in the theater courtyard, sharing the spotlight with prints from celebrated actors such as Johnny Depp, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne.
Uggie, wearing a gold bow tie, arrived in a red fire engine and received a fire-hydrant-shaped cake. The ceremony also marked (no, not like that) the end of his show biz career. The darling dog will avoid the pitfalls and pratfalls of some of his fellow celebrities (Lindsay Lohan, we’re looking at you!) by quietly retreating into retirement.
However, while Uggie will no longer appear in films, he will still work the charity-and-event circuit as a spokesdog for adoption. His trainer, Omar Van Muller, said of Uggie, “He’s adopted. He made it. If you guys can adopt a dog, even if they don’t make it on the big screen, they’ll be big stars at your house.”
We couldn’t agree more. Congratulations to Uggie!
Via The Independent and Sky News
