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This page is about the original Bart the Bear who died in 2000. For his namesake, Bart the Bear 2 a.k.a. "Little Bart" who was born in that year, see Bart the Bear 2.
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Bart the Bear
Bart the Bear and Doug Seus.jpg
Bart the Bear with trainer Doug Seus, 1997
Species Brown bear
Sex Male
Born (1977-01-19)January 19, 1977
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died May 10, 2000(2000-05-10) (aged 23)
Heber City, Utah, U.S.
Resting place Seus ranch, Heber City, Utah, U.S.
Occupation Animal actor, Breeding Animal
Years active 1980–2000
Owner Doug and Lynne Seus
Weight 1,500 lb
Height 9 ft 7.5 in (293 cm)
Awards Won, Academy Award, The Bear (1988)

Bart the Bear was a famous Kodiak bear who starred in many Hollywood movies. He was born on January 19, 1977, and passed away on May 10, 2000. Bart was known for his amazing acting skills in films like The Bear, White Fang, and Legends of the Fall. He was trained by expert animal trainers Doug and Lynne Seus in Heber City, Utah.

Early Life of Bart the Bear

Bart was born at the Baltimore Zoo on January 19, 1977. When he was just five weeks old, weighing only five pounds (about 2 kg), he was bought by Doug and Lynne Seus. The Seuses were animal trainers for movies. They trained Bart using a system of rewards and praise.

Bart's First Acting Roles

As a cub, Bart appeared in the TV series The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams. He played Ben, the companion bear, when he was young. Bart made his first movie appearance in Windwalker, which came out in 1981. As an adult, he grew to be 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 meters) tall and weighed 1,500 pounds (680 kg).

Bart's Amazing Acting Career

Bart worked with many famous actors during his career. These included Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, John Candy, Brad Pitt, and Anthony Hopkins. Everyone who worked with Bart was very impressed by how well he was trained. Film directors Jean-Jacques Annaud and Lee Tamahori even called Bart "The John Wayne of Bears."

Working with Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins acted alongside Bart in two movies: Legends of the Fall and The Edge. Lynne Seus, Bart's trainer, said that Tony Hopkins was wonderful with Bart. He treated Bart with respect, like a fellow actor. Hopkins would spend hours just watching and admiring Bart. He did many of his own scenes with the bear. A film critic named Kenneth Turan called Bart's acting in The Edge a "milestone in ursine acting."

Starring in The Bear

Bart's most famous role was in the 1988 French film The Bear. He played an adult grizzly bear who becomes friends with an orphaned cub. The film shows them defeating hunters. Director Jean-Jacques Annaud looked at 50 bear actors from around the world before choosing Bart. Bart learned many new actions for the role. He even learned to accept the cub co-star, which is unusual for bears.

The Bear was a huge success in both Europe and the United States. It earned over $100 million worldwide. Bart's performance was so good that there was talk of him getting an Oscar nomination. However, animal actors cannot officially receive Academy Awards.

Bart at the Academy Awards

In 1998, Bart made a special appearance at the 70th Academy Awards. This was part of a tribute to animal actors. He even helped present an envelope to actor Mike Myers on stage.

Bart's Charity Work

Bart was not just an actor; he also helped important causes. He was a "spokesbear" for the Vital Ground Foundation. This group works to protect important wildlife areas for bears and other animals. These areas are in places like the Rocky Mountains and Kodiak Island in Alaska.

After Bart was diagnosed with cancer, he also became a "spokesbear" for the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. He helped raise awareness for animals fighting cancer.

Bart's Passing

In October 1998, Bart was diagnosed with cancer. He had two surgeries to remove tumors from his right paw. Sadly, the cancer returned and made him very weak. He was humanely euthanized on May 10, 2000, at 23 years old. Bart was buried on the Seus family's ranch.

At the time of his death, Bart was filming a TV documentary called Growing Up Grizzly. This documentary also featured Bart's namesake, Bart the Bear 2. The film was narrated by Brad Pitt, who had worked with Bart in Legends of the Fall.

Bart's Legacy

Bart the Bear 2 is another Alaskan brown bear cub. He was born in 2000 and adopted by Doug and Lynne Seus shortly before the original Bart passed away. He was named in honor of the first Bart and is sometimes called "Little Bart." Bart the Bear 2 has followed in the footsteps of the original Bart. He has become a well-known animal actor and also helps the Vital Ground Foundation.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

  • The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, multiple episodes (1977–78) – Ben as a cub
  • The Gambler: The Adventure Continues (TV film) (1983) – Bear
  • Louis L'Amour's Down the Long Hills (TV film) (1986) – The Bear
  • Lost in the Barrens (TV film) (1990) – Bear
  • The Young Riders, Season 1, Episode 17, "Decoy" (1990) – Bart
  • Les amants de rivière rouge (Miniseries) (1996) – Bear
  • 70th Academy Awards – Presenter (1998)

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bart the Bear para niños

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