Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier who steals “The Artist” from his human co- stars, could be the alpha dog who finally brings equality between man and beast at the Oscars.
Fans of the 9-year-old canine, who was rescued from a shelter by a Los Angeles animal trainer, are campaigning for the pooch to be eligible for an Oscar next month, in the wake of the silent French film winning the Golden Globe for best comedy or musical.
Steven Spielberg has joined the critter campaign, hoping the equine star of his “War Horse” — who played Joey, an English steed caught up in the horrors of World War I — could also be nominated for an Academy Award.
“Consider Uggie” is the name of the Facebook and Twitter Oscar campaign for the dog, who previously starred in “Water for Elephants” and “Mr. Fix It.” Movieline magazine said the dog “handily outperformed” Leonardo DiCaprio, who was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for “J. Edgar.”
After all, in “The Artist,” Uggie plays dead, walks on his hind legs and buries his head in his paws.
The terrier’s trainer, Oscar Von Muller, denies Uggie is motivated only by sausages, as has been rumored.
“He is a real actor,” Von Muller told the BBC. “I don’t care what anybody says. He deserves an Oscar more than anybody I know.”
Animal lovers have been lobbying for Oscar eligibility since 1929, when Rin Tin Tin won the most votes for Best Actor. The Academy brass ignored the tally and instead gave the award to German Emil Jannings.
Fans of the 9-year-old canine, who was rescued from a shelter by a Los Angeles animal trainer, are campaigning for the pooch to be eligible for an Oscar next month, in the wake of the silent French film winning the Golden Globe for best comedy or musical.
Steven Spielberg has joined the critter campaign, hoping the equine star of his “War Horse” — who played Joey, an English steed caught up in the horrors of World War I — could also be nominated for an Academy Award.
“Consider Uggie” is the name of the Facebook and Twitter Oscar campaign for the dog, who previously starred in “Water for Elephants” and “Mr. Fix It.” Movieline magazine said the dog “handily outperformed” Leonardo DiCaprio, who was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for “J. Edgar.”
After all, in “The Artist,” Uggie plays dead, walks on his hind legs and buries his head in his paws.
The terrier’s trainer, Oscar Von Muller, denies Uggie is motivated only by sausages, as has been rumored.
“He is a real actor,” Von Muller told the BBC. “I don’t care what anybody says. He deserves an Oscar more than anybody I know.”
Animal lovers have been lobbying for Oscar eligibility since 1929, when Rin Tin Tin won the most votes for Best Actor. The Academy brass ignored the tally and instead gave the award to German Emil Jannings.
