Uggie the dog, the scene-stealing Jack Russell terrier from the Academy Award-winning movie "The Artist," died Friday after struggling to overcome a prostate tumor.
Uggie's memorable performance in the black-and-white movie helped it capture the Oscar for best picture in 2012.
His owner, Omar von Mueller, told TMZ that the 13-year-old dog suffered from the tumor for the past several weeks, and ultimately had to be put down.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Uggie was given the Palm Dog Award during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. The dog also appeared with Reese Witherspoon and Christopher Waltz in the 2011 film "Water for Elephants," noted the celebrity publication.
"The Artist" was one of, if not, the most decorated movie of the 2012 award season. Along with best picture, "The Artist" won four other Oscars, including a best actor statue for Jean Dujardin and best director honors for Michel Hazanavicius.
Uggie became the first dog to have its paw prints placed in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The dog starred in several commercials along with becoming the first "spokesdog" for Nintendo before
retiring in 2012, according to the New York Daily News.
"Everybody thinks I am a great trainer," von Mueller said, according to the Daily News. "I don't think so. I think he is just a great dog."
Another trainer for Uggie, Sarah Clifford, called the dog "a perfect little terrier," according to TMZ.
"I will forever hold him dearly in my heart and never forget his infinite love for chicken and hotdogs," Clifford said.
Fans expressed their condolences for Uggie on Twitter.
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