Buddy (dog actor)

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Buddy
Dog actor
Years active1989–1998
OwnerKevin di Cicco

Buddy (c. 1988 – February 10, 1998) was a

dog actor. He was best known for playing the title role in the 1997 film Air Bud
.

Early life

Buddy was found by Kevin di Cicco as a stray dog in the

Sierra Nevada in the summer of 1989.[1] Di Cicco adopted the disheveled Golden Retriever and brought him home to San Diego, California, where he trained the dog in the sports of basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and hockey.[1] Buddy's most eagerly awaited sport was basketball. Di Cicco revealed that Buddy tried to bite the ball, but its slipperiness, enhanced by saliva or more efficiently by olive oil, would propel it from his mouth.[2]

Early appearances

His first appearance was on America's Funniest Home Videos.[3] He then gained further fame bouncing a basketball off his muzzle and into a basketball hoop on the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of Late Night with David Letterman.[4] Buddy appeared three times on Late Night and David Letterman's next show, Late Show with David Letterman.[2]

Film

He was cast as Buddy in the 1997 Disney film Air Bud, a film that tells the story of a golden retriever abandoned by his alcoholic abusive owner; in the film (which was Buddy's final acting role), he moved in with a boy named Josh Framm who was depressed after his father died in a plane crash.[5]

He appeared on the Kids' Choice Awards in 1998, where he was nominated for a Blimp Award for the film. Prior to his death, Buddy sired nine puppies.[6][7]

Illness and death

In 1997, Buddy had his right hind leg amputated due to synovial cell sarcoma, a type of cancer that manifests near the joints, although he was still able to play basketball.[8] Six months later Buddy died in his sleep due to complications from cancer on February 10, 1998, at his owner's San Diego home.[9] At the time of his death, Buddy was 9 years old.[6]

Book

Buddy's story is told in the 2012 book Go Buddy!, written by his owner Kevin di Cicco.[1][10]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Status
1998 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Animal Star Air Bud Nominated[11]

Films and TV

Film

Television

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0-9859-8370-3
    .
  2. ^
    YouTube
    , ScreenSlam.com
  3. ^ Perry, Tony (August 9, 1992). "Once Again, It's Man's Best Friend to the Rescue". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  4. ^ McGurk, Margaret A. (August 14, 1998). "Wholesome Air Bud scores with youngsters". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  5. ^ "'Air Bud' creator and San Diego native battling health concerns and homelessness". NBC News. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Tribune News Services (February 13, 1998). "Athletic Canine Star Of 'Air Bud' Film Dies". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  7. E! Online
    . Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  8. ^ Tribune News Services (August 7, 1997). "Cancer Can't Ground 'Air Bud' Hoops Pooch". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  9. ^ "'Air Bud' Star Dies Of Cancer". The Spokesman-Review. February 13, 1998. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  10. ^ "The Story Behind "Air Bud"". KATU. August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  11. ^ Melanie Mcfarland (April 3, 1998). "The Kids Get Their Say For Nickelodeon Awards". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
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