|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
One of the finest actors of
his generation died recently. Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played
Eddie on "Frasier," went to doggie heaven at the ripe old post-retirement
age of 16. While Moose's screen persona was a lovable scamp and loyal
companion, apparently in real life he could be a bit of a diva. He had
once reportedly swung from a horse's tail, terrorized neighbor cats and
dug a hole through a wall. Now that's Method acting! Which got us to
thinking about other great canine stars through the years. Here, a
two-paws-up list of
our favorite top
dogs:
|
 |
Moose 'Frasier'
Not only did Moose master the sitcom -- and rule TV of the '90s
-- as Eddie on "Frasier," but he proved his dramatic chops in the
sentimental childhood yarn "My Dog Skip." Kelsey Grammer even
dedicated his 1994 Emmy to him. Sadly, Moose has left the
building. | |
 |
Tramp 'Lady & the Tramp'
Why would a pampered cocker spaniel like Lady fall for this
rakish mutt? 'Cause he's all heart, that's why. Peggy Lee's lyrics
say it best: "He's a tramp, he's a scoundrel/He's a rounder, he's a
cad/He's a tramp, but I love him." Us too,
kid. | |
 |
Lassie 'Lassie'
If Rin Tin Tin was the Spencer Tracy of the golden age of animal
actors, Lassie was the Katharine Hepburn: elegant, versatile,
commanding. And more importantly, she paved the way for generations
of spunky female detectives and problem solvers. If there'd been no
"Lassie," I dare say, we'd have had no "Police Woman," no "Murder:
She Wrote," no "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," no "The
Closer." Good girl... | |
 |
'Air Bud'
It's not easy to share the big screen with teams of cute kiddie
actors, but the sweet golden retrievers who starred in the "Air Bud"
films ("Air Bud: World Pup," "Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch," etc.)
snatched those movies into their mouths and promptly ran off with
them. They shoot, they score. | |
 |
Frank 'Men in Black'
Frank, voiced by actor Tim Blaney, played an alien undercover on
Earth, an informant and on-the-ground nose and ears (quite
literally) for stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. He was
owned by one of the oddest-looking human specimens ever, and Frank
was his own punchline: It wasn't the weird human who was the alien,
but the weird dog -- who's a normal breed! Best line: "You don't
like it, you can kiss my furry little
butt!" | |
 |
Dinky Taco Bell commercials
What a spokesdog: cute, just enough attitude, and really made us
crave that late-night chalupa. And did you notice, right after
Dinky's debut, suddenly everyone from Madonna to Paris Hilton to Elle in
the "Legally Blonde" movies was toting
around a Chihuahua. Yo quiero
Dinky.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|