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And the Oscar goes to …. “Uggie Nicholson”- A True Artist!

Uggie steals the show!

“Uggie Nicholson”

Actors worldwide are often known for having compelling upbringings. Many of them come from humble, nomadic beginnings, their adolescent years verging on desolation and depression. Many of them become great, still, despite the setbacks. Many are all the better for them.

Every now and then, we come across actors whose success is particularly astonishing in light of their history. In these cases, they do not merely amaze, they inspire. And the time has come again. Imagine this actor’s story: abandoned at an early age, he spent time in a shelter and was subsequently kicked out of household after household. If someone hadn’t recognized the sparkle in his eye, he may have reached a terrible fate. His name is Uggie. The twist? He is a nine year-old dog.

Uggie, a dog-turned-actor who has won the admiration of millions for his recent role in “The Artist” (2011), is of a rare breed, you might say. He is a Jack Russell, crossbred with a Jack Nicholson. Half cutsie puppy, half gutsy thespian. His rise to fame underscores the trove of talents laden within many of our pets, even the most unassuming.

Uggie in the Artist - the role of a Lifetime!

Uggie’s talent has been widely recognized, but he has yet to receive the award that all stars strive for—the coveted Oscar. Some argue that a dog isn’t a fit candidate for the award (Rin Tin Tin stood to win Best Actor in 1929, but was robbed by a prejudiced jury) but Uggie’s supporters refuse to give in. Through simultaneous campaigns on Facebook and Twitter, his proponents are making their case, and scores of actors and critics are Tweeting their support @Uggie_TheArtist.

“The Artist” was not Uggie’s first movie. He was already a rising star, scoring roles in Disney’s “Life is Ruff”, “Mr. Fix It”, and numerous international commercials. But none quite like this. In “The Artist”, Uggie is truly the “best in show”, providing the perfect inflection to a film already dazzling in its aesthetic and emotion. According to Uggie’s trainer, Sarah Clifford, “When I got the script, they were like, we need a good Jack Russell for this French movie, and I thought, ‘I’ve got the dog for this role!’” Indeed, she did!

Lucky interviews Uggie - Barbara Walters style!

A range of high-end skills were required of Uggie for the role, including playing dead, standing on his hind legs, and making a rescue. Subtle though they may be, these are actions that even an experienced human actor has trouble executing convincingly. But Uggie’s physical and mental finesse made them seem unpracticed.

In the words of Clifford, “Uggie has so much energy and he’s such a showman. He does really cool things that are similar to his character.”

The human lead, played by Jean Dujardin, established a dynamic role for Uggie to play against. Uggie was his companion in the truest sense, at his side throughout the film (the training for this sense of closeness involved a LOT of sausages, Uggie’s favorite…). In one scene, acting as man’s best friend, Uggie saves Dujardin from a burning building. Because there were scenes that presented physical danger, like this one, two other Jack Russells—“Dash” and “Dude”—were brought on board as Uggie’s stunt doubles. But Uggie’s bravery and acting mastery kept him in the movie almost the entire time. Rarely were Dash’s or Dude’s performances up-to-stuff enough to warrant replacing Uggie’s work.

It is with a grand mixture of success, celebrity, sadness, memories and bittersweetness that Uggie’s acting career will probably come to an end at this point. His impressive resumé has left Uggie tired, and he has a sort of neurological disturbance that makes him shake very much. But hopefully Uggie lives out the rest of his life in absolute bliss.

The world of cinema and television has warmed our hearts with a number of exceptional animal actors over the years. A few dogs stand out in our memories, like Toto, Lassie, Old Yeller and Benji. Now, it is time to induct Uggie as a consummate star—the perfect pooch to carry the stick passed to him by those dog actors that came before him. May he be cherished in the hearts of all, as a pet we can all feel proud supporting.

P.S. Lucky’s thrilled that, just as she thought, The Artist” took home top honors at the PGAs, swept the Golden Globes and this weekend Oscars! Anyone bold enough to challenge?! Bring it on.

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