List of animal actors

Following is a list of animal actors. Those listed should have either a substantial number of performances or, in rare cases, a high-profile role.

Bears

NameTypeLifespanPartial creditsNotes
Bart the BearKodiak bear1977–2000
Bart the Bear 2Grizzly bear2000–2021
Brody the BearKodiak bearBorn 1995
BrunoAmerican black bear1962-1981
HerculesGrizzly bear1975–2001

Birds

NameTypeLifespanPartial creditsNotes
DouglassScarlet macaw1967-2019
JimmyRaven1934-?
Mr PercivalAustralian pelican1976-2009

Cats

NameBreedLifespanPartial creditsNotes
Grumpy CatMixed breed2012-2019Also popular as an Internet meme
Morris the CatTabby catDied 1978
  • 58 commercials for 9Lives (1969–1978)
Won two PATSY Awards for his performances, in 1972 and 1973.
OrangeyTabby catc. 1950–1967Two-time PATSY Award winner, for Rhubarb and Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Cetaceans

NameTypeLifespanPartial creditsNotes
KeikoOrca1976–2003
WinterBottlenose dolphin2005–2021

Dogs

NameBreedLifespanPartial creditsNotes
Ace the Wonder DogGerman ShepherdBefore 1938–after 1946
Air BuddyGolden Retriever1988–1998
BrigitteFrench BulldogBorn 2010Won the first Golden Collar Award for "Best Dog in a Television Series"[4]
Brownie the Wonder DogBull TerrierFox Terrier crossbreed
CookJack Russell Terrier[5]2000–2016
Daisy (originally named Spooks)Cocker Spaniel-Poodle-Terrier mix1937–1960
GidgetChihuahua1994–2009
HigginsMongrel1957–1975
JeanBorder Collie1902–1916
JedWolfdog (timber wolf-Alaskan Malamute[11])1977–1995
Johnny[13][14]Mongrel1976–?
Kuma von CliffordMongrel2001–2018
KyteBelgian TervurenBorn 1997
LondonGerman ShepherdWhile London was the primary actor of the television series, several of London's descendants also played the character. The series was revived and aired from 1979 to 1985. While the dog was credited as London, it was a different dog.
MessiBorder CollieWinner of the Palm Dog Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival
Mike[19]Border Collie
MoonieChihuahua1998–2016
MooseJack Russell Terrier1990–2006
MushuPug
PalRough Collie1940–1958
Pal the Wonder Dog[21]American Pit Bull Terrier1924–1930Died of poisoning after eating tainted meat.
Rin Tin TinGerman Shepherd1918–1932
PeggyPug and Chinese Crested Dog mixWon the title of "Britain's ugliest dog"
ShepCollieDied 1914
SkippyWire Fox Terrier1931–1951
SoccerJack Russell Terrier1998–2001
SpikeMastador - Labrador Retriever/Mastiff crossbreed1952–1962Won the PATSY Award for Old Yeller
StrongheartGerman Shepherd1917–1929
TerryCairn Terrier1933–1945
UggieParson Russell Terrier2002–2015Won numerous awards for his performance in The Artist, including the Palm Dog Award during the Cannes Film Festival.

Elephants

NameTypeLifespanPartial creditsNotes
Chirakkal KalidasanAsian elephantBorn 1980
TaiAsian elephant1968-2021

Horses

NameBreedLifespanPartial creditsNotes
Bamboo HarvesterAmerican Saddlebred/part-Arabian1949–1970
  • Mister Ed in Mister Ed (1961–1966, 145 episodes)
ButtermilkQuarter Horse1941–1972Dale Evans' famous horse; see also Trigger, the horse of Evans' husband, Roy Rogers.
Hightower[24]Quarter Horse1982–2008
Tony the Wonder Horse or Tony the HorseDied 1942Western star Tom Mix's horse (who often received equal billing) in most of Mix's films.
TriggerPalomino1934–1965Famous as Roy Rogers' horse; see also Buttermilk, the horse of Rogers' wife Dale Evans. Won a PATSY Award for Son of Paleface.

Primates

NameTypeLifespanPartial creditsNotes
Crystal the MonkeyCapuchin monkeyBorn 1994
J. Fred MuggsChimpanzeeBorn 1952
JiggsChimpanzeec. 1929–1938
JosephineCapuchin monkeyc. 1907[26]–?
Kokomo Jr.ChimpanzeeThere were at least two chimpanzees, who performed on alternate days to avoid overwork.
PankunChimpanzeeBorn 2001
  • Japanese television shows
    • Tensai! Shimura Dōbutsuen (天才!志村動物園, lit. Genius! Shimura Zoo)
    • Dōbutsu Kisō Tengai! (どうぶつ奇想天外!, lit. Unbelievable Animals!)
Retired after attacking and severely injuring a zoo staff trainee.
RanchoMonkey
TravisChimpanzeeBorn 1995Disputed as to whether he was the same chimpanzee who acted in all of his claimed appearances.[33]

Reptiles

NameTypeLifespanPartial creditsNotes
FrankAsian water monitor2003-2021
PochoCrocodileDied 2011
  • Touching the Dragon
  • Dragon's Feast

See also

References