Cosmo (dog)
Encyclopedia
Cosmo is a canine
actor. He is a Jack Russell Terrier
that is best known for his roles in the movies Hotel for Dogs
and Beginners
. He was adopted from a breed rescue society by animal trainer Mathilda DeCagny.
rescue society in 2007. DeCagny had previously owned and trained other Jack Russell dog actors Moose and his son Enzo, who had played Eddie in Frasier
. DeCagny described Cosmo as being skittish and lacking confidence when she first adopted him, but he was very friendly towards people and very playful. When not appearing in films, Cosmo lives with DeCagny and her family in Venice, California.
Whilst on the books of Hollywood pet agency Birds and Animals Unlimited, he made his on screen debut in Hotel for Dogs
where he played "Friday". Of the seventy dogs hired for the film, including two doubles for his role, he was described as producer Ivan Reitman
's favourite. He subsequently appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
In Beginners
, his fur was dyed using non-toxic vegetable colouring in order to make him look more similar to Bowser, a dog owned by writer/director Mike Mills
as the story was based on Mills' early life. Working with Cosmo inspired actor Ewan McGregor
to get a dog of his own. "I was looking for a replacement for Cosmo because I couldn’t stand the idea of not having him around," said McGregor, who adopted a poodle mix called Sid. "I found my dog on the last day of the shoot. He is gorgeous and my little Cosmo replacement." McGregor stated that he takes Sid for walks with DeCagny and Cosmo in Venice on occasion.
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
actor. He is a Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
that is best known for his roles in the movies Hotel for Dogs
Hotel for Dogs (film)
Hotel for Dogs is a 2009 American children's comedy film based on the 1971 Lois Duncan novel of the same name. The film, directed by Thor Freudenthal and adapted by Jeff Lowell, Bob Schooley, and Mark McCorkle, stars Johnny Simmons, Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, Kyla...
and Beginners
Beginners
Beginners is a 2010 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Mills. It tells the story of Oliver , a man reflecting on the life and death of his father while trying to forge a new romantic relationship with a woman dealing with father issues of her own.Beginners premiered at the 2010...
. He was adopted from a breed rescue society by animal trainer Mathilda DeCagny.
Early life and career
Cosmo was adopted by dog trainer Mathilda DeCagny from a Jack RussellJack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or broken-coated which is commonly confused with the Parson Russell terrier and the Russell terrier with the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white...
rescue society in 2007. DeCagny had previously owned and trained other Jack Russell dog actors Moose and his son Enzo, who had played Eddie in Frasier
Frasier
Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for eleven seasons, from September 16, 1993, to May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee in association with Grammnet and Paramount Network Television.A spin-off of Cheers, Frasier stars...
. DeCagny described Cosmo as being skittish and lacking confidence when she first adopted him, but he was very friendly towards people and very playful. When not appearing in films, Cosmo lives with DeCagny and her family in Venice, California.
Whilst on the books of Hollywood pet agency Birds and Animals Unlimited, he made his on screen debut in Hotel for Dogs
Hotel for Dogs (film)
Hotel for Dogs is a 2009 American children's comedy film based on the 1971 Lois Duncan novel of the same name. The film, directed by Thor Freudenthal and adapted by Jeff Lowell, Bob Schooley, and Mark McCorkle, stars Johnny Simmons, Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, Kyla...
where he played "Friday". Of the seventy dogs hired for the film, including two doubles for his role, he was described as producer Ivan Reitman
Ivan Reitman
Ivan Reitman, OC is a Canadian film producer and director. He is known for the comedies he has directed and produced, especially in the 1980s and 1990s.He is the owner of The Montecito Picture Company, founded in 2000.-Early life:...
's favourite. He subsequently appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
In Beginners
Beginners
Beginners is a 2010 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Mills. It tells the story of Oliver , a man reflecting on the life and death of his father while trying to forge a new romantic relationship with a woman dealing with father issues of her own.Beginners premiered at the 2010...
, his fur was dyed using non-toxic vegetable colouring in order to make him look more similar to Bowser, a dog owned by writer/director Mike Mills
Mike Mills (director)
Michael C. "Mike" Mills is an American film and music video director and graphic designer. He is perhaps best known for his independent films Thumbsucker and Beginners.-Early life:...
as the story was based on Mills' early life. Working with Cosmo inspired actor Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
to get a dog of his own. "I was looking for a replacement for Cosmo because I couldn’t stand the idea of not having him around," said McGregor, who adopted a poodle mix called Sid. "I found my dog on the last day of the shoot. He is gorgeous and my little Cosmo replacement." McGregor stated that he takes Sid for walks with DeCagny and Cosmo in Venice on occasion.