Air Buddy (dog)
 Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen with Air Bud "Comet" | |
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Golden Retriever |
| Sex | Male |
| Born |
c. 1988 Sierra Nevada, (found near June Lake, California) |
| Died |
February 10, 1998 (aged 10) San Diego, California |
| Occupation | Dog actor |
| Years active | 1989–1998 |
| Owner | Kevin di Cicco |
Buddy, sometimes credited as Buddy the Wonder Dog (1988 – February 10, 1998) was an American dog actor, best known for playing Buddy in Air Bud.
Early life
Buddy was found by Kevin di Cicco as a stray dog in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the summer of 1989.[1] Di Cicco adopted the disheveled Golden Retriever and brought him home to San Diego, where he trained him in the sports of basketball, chess, baseball, football, soccer, and hockey.
His first appearance was on America's Funniest Home Videos.[2] He then gained further fame bouncing a basketball off his muzzle and into a basketball hoop on David Letterman's "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of the Late Show with David Letterman.[3]
Career
Buddy made a special appearance on the ABC sitcom Full House.
In 1997 he was cast as Buddy in the Disney movie Air Bud, a Golden Retriever abandoned by his abusive owner. In the movie, he moved in with a boy named Josh who was depressed due to the death of his father. He appeared on the Kids' Choice Awards in 1998, where he was nominated for a Blimp Award for the movie. The film's sequel, Air Bud: Golden Receiver, was made in his memory. Prior to his death Buddy sired nine puppies.[4] Air Bud was Buddy's final acting role.
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.[5] Buddy died in his sleep due to complications from cancer on February 10, 1998 at his owner's San Diego home.[6] At the time of his death, Buddy was 10 years old.[7] Buddy was cremated, and his ashes were buried in an undisclosed location.
Book
Buddy's story is told in the 2012 book Go Buddy!, written by his owner Kevin di Cicco.[8]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Animal Star | Nominated[9] |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Air Bud | Buddy |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989–1995 | Full House | Comet (Special appearance) |
See also
References
- ↑ Go Buddy! The Air Bud Story, by Kevin di Cicco, Air Bud Publishing Group, 2012.
- ↑ Tony Perry (August 9, 1992). "Once Again, It's Man's Best Friend to the Rescue". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
- ↑ Margaret A. McGurk (August 14, 1998). "Wholesome Air Bud scores with youngsters". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ↑ Hollywood Mourns Loss of "Air Bud"
- ↑ Tribune News Services (August 7, 1997). "Cancer Can't Ground `Air Bud' Hoops Pooch". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
- ↑ "'Air Bud' Star Dies Of Cancer,". The Spokesman-Review. February 13, 1998. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
- ↑ Tribune News Services (February 13, 1998). "Athletic Canine Star Of `Air Bud' Film Dies". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
- ↑ The Story Behind "Air Bud"
- ↑ Melanie Mcfarland (April 3, 1998). "The Kids Get Their Say For Nickelodeon Awards". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
External links
- Buddy at the Internet Movie Database
- Kevin DiCicco at IMDB
- Buddy the Dog at Find A Grave