How Much Money Does Habitat For Humanity Make

4 Canine Actors That Made More Money Than Humans

Sure, it pays well to be an Instagram-famous dog today—but these beloved dogs of Old Hollywood also earned some serious coin.

puppy portrait clapper board table Gorlov/Getty Images

The movie star dog

Lassie. Toto. Air Bud. You probably know these four-legged icons as well as you might know humans like Tom Cruise or Meryl Streep. And yet it can be rare—especially today—that dogs in films actually out-earn human celebrities, even if they have the biggest "role" in the movie. For instance, the dogs playing the titular character inMarley & Me (there were several, since the dog had to age up!) didn't earn nearly as much money as Owen Wilson or Jennifer Aniston.

But back in the early days of Hollywood, it was a different story. Individual dogs had more of a chance of making it really, really big onscreen than they do today. While today, a dog might be cast in a single "dog movie" or even snag a franchise or TV role, dogs don't really become "movie stars," known by their actual name and taking on multiple different roles. (You're far more likely to see dogs become Internet-famous!) And, of course, it can be silly to even talk about dogs "getting paid"—the pup certainly isn't pocketing the money! Generally, the money that onscreen dogs earn is split between the dog's owner and the talent agency that represents him. And these four canine luminaries of Hollywood yesteryear earned lots—andlots—of money. If these well-paid pooches are a little before your time, find out the most famous movie dog the decade you were born.

Alsatian Star Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Rin Tin Tin

There's a reason why people still recognize the name of this famous pooch—nearly a hundred years after he graced the screen. Rin Tin Tin was the original movie star dog. Appearing in 26 silent films throughout the 1920s and early '30s, Rin Tin Tin captured the hearts of thousands of Americans in the way that only a dog can. This German shepherd was found in a WWI war zone, and after his owner realized how trainable he was, he started snagging major film roles. Among his best-known films are 1923'sWhere the North Beginsand 1926'sThe Clash of the Wolves. (In the latter, he played a wolf—now that's range!)

According toCitizen Canine: Dogs in the Moviesby Wendy Mitchell, he was soon out-earning many humans of the time—as much as $6000 per week. According to Hollywood legend, even received more votes for Best Actor at the 1929 Academy Awards than any human! (Unfortunately for him, the Academy decided that the award had to go to a human and gave it to Emil Jannings—but raise your hand if Rin Tin Tin's name is still more familiar to you than his!) For some more current canine success stories, read about these shelter dogs that got famous.

strongheart dog movie Public Domain/via Wikipedia

Strongheart

Rin Tin Tin might have become better known across time, but Strongheart, another German shepherd, is widely considered thefirstmajor dog movie star! He first appeared on the scene about a year before Rin Tin Tin, with his 1921 filmThe Silent Cal l. And though he only appeared in six films, he earned some serious cash, eventually becoming a multi-millionaire—in the1920s! At one point he was even the highest-grossing star of any species in Hollywood, according toCitizen Canine. Perhaps the reason for his massive stardom is that his fame was more worldwide than Rin Tin Tin's; he was born in Poland and was a German police dog before a pair of Hollywood big wigs found him. His most famous—and final—film role was in the heist filmThe Return of Boston Blackie.

Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn Acting a Scene from Bringing Up Baby John Springer Collection/Getty Images

Asta

This Wire Fox Terrier wasn't the biggest star in 1938'sBringing Up Baby—he shared the screen with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. He didn't even have the biggestanimal role in that film—that would be the titular leopard, Baby. But Asta, née Skippy, proved to be a charming scene-stealer with his comedic barking timing and other antics—and was well paid for it. His name was changed after his first film role, as a dog named Asta inThe Thin Man, which he would reprise in multiple sequels. And according toCitizen Canine, he earned up to $250 a week at his most prolific—while his trainer was earning only $60.

toto wizard of oz movie dog Mgm/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Toto/Terry

You knew this was coming! Rather disconcertingly, that oft-repeated tidbit that Toto was paid more forThe Wizard of Ozthan many of the Munchkins is true. Though she (yes, she!) was later renamed Toto, the Cairn Terrier who played Dorothy's faithful companion was actually named Terry. And her paycheck for the 1939 blockbuster was enormous. It wasn't justmorethan what some Munchkins earned; it was more thandouble. Terry—or, more accurately, her trainer, Spitz—earned $125 a week on the film, while some of the Munchkins earned as little as $50 a week. The human star of the film out-earned Terry—Judy Garland was paid $500 a week—but that's still a whole lot of dough for a dog. Read on to find out the movie that made the most money the year you were born.

Originally Published: March 16, 2020

Sign up for articles sent right to your inbox

Enjoy the best stories, advice & jokes delivered right to your inbox!

cover

Subscribe & SAVE Save Up To 84%!