Bruno (bear actor) facts for kids
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Bruno and Paul Newman in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)
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| Other name(s) | Ben, or Gentle Ben |
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| Species | North American black bear |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 1962 Near White Lake, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | c. 1981 Acton, California, U.S. |
| Nation from | United States |
| Occupation | Bear Actor |
| Years active | 1965 - late 1970s |
| Owner | Ralph Helfer |
| Weight | 600–800 lb (272–363 kg) |
| Height | approx. 7' 6" (2.29 m) |
Bruno, also known as Ben or Gentle Ben (born 1962, died around 1981), was a famous North American black bear actor. He was best known for playing the main character, Ben the bear, in the TV show Gentle Ben from 1967 to 1969.
Bruno also starred as the adult Ben in the movie Gentle Giant (1967), which was a preview to the TV series. In 1968, he won a top award called the PATSY Award for his work in the Gentle Giant film. He also got a second-place award for his role in the TV series. After Gentle Ben ended, Bruno appeared in the 1972 movie The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, starring Paul Newman.
It's important to know that this Bruno is not the same as an older bear actor also named "Bruno the Bear." That earlier bear appeared in comedies in the 1910s and 1920s.
Contents
Bruno's Early Life
Bruno was brought to Ralph Helfer's Africa U.S.A. animal ranch before 1965. This ranch, located in California, trained animals for Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Bruno and his brother were orphaned as cubs in Wisconsin. Helfer got them from a private owner. Reports from the time of the Gentle Ben show said Bruno was found in White Lake, Wisconsin. He was said to be 6 years old in 1968, meaning he was born in 1962.
A man named Anthony "Tony" Pelky claimed he raised "Gentle Ben" from a cub. He said Bruno and his two brothers were born near Lakewood, Wisconsin, in 1962. Their mother was killed, and the cubs were adopted by a hunter's son. Pelky adopted one cub, which he named "Smokey." He described Smokey as the "tamest bear he ever saw."
Smokey grew to be about 650 pounds. He was so gentle that a person could put an arm in his mouth without him biting. Trainers from Africa U.S.A. heard about Smokey's calm nature and large size. They bought him from Pelky. The Pelkys believed the bear in the Gentle Ben opening was Smokey, the bear they sold.
After Bruno arrived at Africa U.S.A., his claws were removed, and his teeth were taken out. He was trained for acting using Helfer's "affection training" method. This method focused on building a bond with the animal through kindness, not punishment or food rewards. Throughout his career, Bruno weighed between 600 and 800 pounds. He was also very tall, around 7 to 8 feet!
Bruno's Acting Career
Starting Out
Bruno first appeared in a movie in 1965 called Zebra in the Kitchen. It was about animals escaping from a zoo. He also guest-starred on the TV show Daktari, playing a sick circus bear.
In 1966, an article described Bruno as a "7-foot, 700-pound black bear." It said he was "perhaps the biggest 'working' bear in the world." Yet, he was so gentle that children could even ride him.
Bruno had a couple of close calls before becoming famous. In December 1965, a big flood hit the Africa U.S.A. ranch. Bruno was washed away, and people couldn't find him. The TV show producers asked the public not to shoot him, saying he had no teeth and loved Cokes or fruit. A few days later, Bruno returned to the ranch on his own! He was muddy and a bit lighter but fine.
In July 1966, a train derailed and crashed into some cages at the ranch. Bruno's cage was destroyed. But luckily, his trainers had taken him out for a walk just before the accident.
Starring in Gentle Ben
Bruno became very famous as the star of the movie Gentle Giant (1967) and the TV series Gentle Ben (1967-1969). Both the movie and the show were about a big bear named Ben and his young human friend, Mark Wedloe. Mark's dad was a wildlife officer in the Florida Everglades.
Bruno traveled to Florida to film the series. He found it hard to get used to the heat and lost weight. He had to go back to Africa U.S.A. to get back in shape. After a flood damaged Africa U.S.A. in 1969, Bruno moved to Florida permanently.
Several bears played Ben in the show, depending on what the scene needed. For example, different bears were used for running or fighting. But Bruno was the favorite. He was big, calm, and could do many different things. He also worked well with children. His owner, Ralph Helfer, said Bruno did most of his own stunts. This included riding an airboat and "grabbing the bad guy."
Clint Howard, who played Mark, said Bruno and another bear named Buck did 75% of the work. Clint was very young when he worked with Bruno. He said he never had problems, except once when Bruno sat on him!
Bruno was known for his huge appetite. He loved Coca-Cola, fruit, and Tootsie Rolls. He even ate cigarettes he stole from the cast and crew! Helfer said they would play a game where they ran around Bruno. He would catch them in his arms, and they would wrestle.
During the show's run, Bruno's name was sometimes changed to "Ben" or "Gentle Ben" in articles. After the series ended, his name went back to Bruno.
Monty Cox and Vern Debord were Bruno's main trainers. Monty Cox even lived with Bruno in a Miami apartment. This was to give Bruno the love and attention he needed. Cox said Bruno sometimes followed him into the shower and slept in his bed!
After Gentle Ben
After Gentle Ben ended in 1969, Bruno moved back to California with trainer Ron Oxley. Oxley was starting his own business, Action Animals, to provide trained animals for movies and TV. Bruno lived with Oxley and a trained lion named Neil. Bruno and Neil were friends.
In November 1972, Bruno appeared in an episode of Gunsmoke called "Tatum." His scenes had to be filmed early in the morning because the desert ground got too hot for his paws. By this time, Bruno had appeared in over 400 TV shows!
Bruno also gained attention for his role as Watch Bear in the 1972 movie The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. He played the bear companion of Judge Roy Bean, who was played by Paul Newman. The real Judge Roy Bean also had a pet black bear named Bruno! Critics and Paul Newman himself said Bruno stole every scene he was in with Newman.
Bruno also appeared in other movies, like The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975) and Shadow of the Hawk (1976). He was also in the TV movie Guardian of the Wilderness (1976).
He continued to make TV appearances, including on a 1973 special with "Mama" Cass Elliot. He also appeared on The Merv Griffin Show. Sometimes, he made personal appearances with Oxley at circuses and events.
Awards and Recognition
In 1968, Bruno won the PATSY Award for his work in the movie Gentle Giant. He was also nominated for the TV category for Gentle Ben. He came in second place, losing to Arnold the Pig from Green Acres.
Bruno was nominated for another PATSY award in 1973 for The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. He was nominated again in 1977 for Guardian of the Wilderness, but he didn't win those times.
Bruno's Later Years
Bruno the bear passed away around 1980 or 1981. He was about 18 or 19 years old.
Bruno's Film and TV Roles
Movies
- Zebra in the Kitchen (1965)
- Gentle Giant (1967)
- The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972)
- The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975)
- Shadow of the Hawk (1976)
- Guardian of the Wilderness (TV movie) (1976)
- The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978)
Television Shows
- Daktari, Season 2, Episode 11, "Shoot to Kill" (1966)
- Gentle Ben, main cast (1967−1969)
- Gunsmoke, Season 18, Episode 10, "Tatum" (1972)
- "Mama" Cass Elliot TV Special, Don't Call Me Mama Anymore (1973)
- The Merv Griffin Show, Season 13, Episode 139 (April 2, 1976)
See also
- List of individual bears
