Animal actors can be as crucial to the success of a movie as human ones. It's why most animal movies have audiences in tears when the dog dies in the end — seriously, why does the dog always have to die? Animal parts are rarely played by just one animal, though. Just like the kitten in Keanu was played by seven kittens, the pig in Babe was played by multiple pigs, and the same goes for quite a few of your fave pets. However, some animal actors have stuck with a role for an entire project and then gone on to star in other iconic roles, making them automatic animal actor MVPs, such as the below animal actors, all of whom played two iconic '90s and '00s roles.
For instance, it's a well-known fact that everybody loves Full House, and specifically, they love Comet, the family golden retriever. Given that Comet was a part of the show for six full years, you're probably thinking that, like Michelle, he was played by (at least) two different dogs, but actually, it was just one dog. Buddy the acting star starred as Comet for six years, but did you know he also played another iconic '90s role? Check out the below list of animal actors who have starred in two iconic roles to find out what Buddy, and other on-screen pets, have done.
1. Buddy
Buddy, also known as Buddy the Wonder Dog, is everyone's favorite Golden Retriever. Buddy's career kicked off in 1989 when he was cast as Comet, the family dog in Full House. After Full House ended it's run in 1995, Buddy went on to star in his own Disney movie, Air Bud. Buddy died before getting the chance to reprise his role in the 1998 sequel, Air Bud: Golden Receiver.
2. Gidget
Gidget, the infamous Taco Bell Chihuahua, starred in Taco Bel commercials from 1997 to 2000. Though urban legends spread that Gidget had died suddenly, thus ending her relationship with Taco Bell, the truth was that she went on to act in other projects, including appearing as Bruiser's Mom in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde in 2003. She died in 2009.
3. Moose
Moose, a Parson Russell Terrier, starred for years as Eddie Crane on Frasier, where he was known for his ability to stare down co-star Kelsey Grammer. When he retired in 2000, he was replaced on Frasier by his son, Enzo. The father-son dog duo ended up playing two versions of Skip (one old, one young) in the 2000 movie, My Dog Skip.
4. Bart The Bear/Bart the Bear 2
The first Bart the Bear appeared in 17 films, including Legends of the Fall (1994), in which he appeared alongside A-listers Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. Sadly, Bart the Bear died in 2000, but Bart's trainers, Doug and Lynn Seus, also raised and trained Bart the Bear 2, another bear actor born in 2000. Bart the Bear 2 has carried on the legacy of the first Bart, appearing in films like Into the Wild (2007), We Bought a Zoo (2011), and a 2013 episode of Game of Thrones.
5. Crystal The Monkey
Crystal The Monkey is a popular capuchin monkey actor who appeared in the 1997 film George of the Jungle and has played a role in the Night at the Museum franchise and starred as the monkey in The Hangover Part II (2011). Crystal's many credits also include Dr. Dolittle (1998), American Pie (1999), and We Bought a Zoo.
So, next time you fall in love with an animal on television or in a movie, you might want to remember it. You never know when or where that animal actor could pop up next.
Images: Warner Bros.; Video Archeology/Youtube; NBC; 20th Century Fox; Warner Bros. Television
