Gidget, former Taco Bell dog, dies at age 15
It seems that every time we turn around, another beloved celebrity is passing away. Today, it is with heavy heart that we report yet another celebrity death. Rest in peace Gidget, the Chihuahua who starred in a series of Taco Bell commercials and made famous the phrase "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!"
Gidget died of a stroke Tuesday at the ripe old age of 15, People Pets reports. She'd lived in comfortable semiretirement since the heyday of the Taco Bell advertising campaign, occasionally making cameo appearances (hawking insurance alongside the GEICO gecko in a 2002 commercial and playing the mother of Reese Witherspoon's Chihuahua, Bruiser, in the sequel to "Legally Blonde").
In the grand tradition of celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich who went before her, Gidget played against type in the Taco Bell ads, portraying a male dog voiced by Argentine American actor Carlos Alazraqui. A few years later, Alazraqui landed the role for which he's best known: Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central's "Reno 911." But others associated with the ad campaign weren't so lucky. Earlier this year, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the creators of the Chihuahua character hadn't been properly compensated for their work, and Taco Bell was ordered to pay $42 million.
Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton, described the diminutive dog as a consummate professional on the set in an interview earlier this year with People Pets. But, she said, Gidget had been the victim of typecasting, which limited her career choices (or, rather, Chipperton's choices on her behalf). Although her career waned in recent years, Gidget (and her catchphrase) remained a well-known pop-culture footnote of the 1990s. "She made so many people happy," Chipperton told People Pets.
As Horatio put it so memorably, "Now cracks a noble heart." Good night, sweet prince(ss). We'll miss you and your unerring ability to make us crave fast food.
-- Lindsay Barnett
Photo: Associated Press
awwwww the poor dog. :( my brothers always loved that doggy
Posted by: yuffie | July 22, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Memorial Service pending Health Department Approval at Taco Bell, or the Staples Center.
Posted by: cliffdiver11 | July 22, 2009 at 02:26 PM
When Taco Bell switched its advertising away from Gidget, I was soooo disappointed!! Those commercials were the best!!
Posted by: Dan'l | July 22, 2009 at 03:31 PM
:( poor little doggy. ill miss her!!!
Posted by: Allison | July 22, 2009 at 03:38 PM
RIP Little Miss Gidget. We will miss you.
Posted by: GC | July 22, 2009 at 05:18 PM
I'm sad. I loved that whole ad compaign. I was sorry when they discontinued it. I even have the stuffed Taco Bell dogs that talk!!! At least she lived to a rip old age.
RIP Gidget!!
Posted by: Tanya | July 22, 2009 at 05:59 PM
i loved that pupp
Posted by: kpt | July 22, 2009 at 08:24 PM
I will miss you Gidget.....you have some other great Chis waiting for you on the other side....say HI to Pocket and Libby for me....
Posted by: Dawn | July 22, 2009 at 08:31 PM
So sad but at the same time it's a happy time sort of. She lived a good life and she died of old age. It's a celebration of her life. This is excatly the kind of life I wish all pets had.
Goodbye little Gidget and I'll never forget: "Yo quiero Taco Bell"
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth | July 23, 2009 at 04:20 AM
Gidget you are the reason we have 2 Chichi's now. You will be missed and are much loved.
Taco Bell will never be the same. :( :(
Posted by: Janet R | July 23, 2009 at 06:38 AM
I love that little taco bell dog..If they are looking for a new one my little chihuahua looks just like him
Posted by: Ali | July 23, 2009 at 09:21 AM
THANK YOU to the owners and trainers of this beautiful dog. We have many years of her love and fun memories to hold on to.
Posted by: Jude Stringfellow | July 23, 2009 at 10:31 AM
she was the best!
Posted by: pat | July 23, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Poor little girl... you will be missed, but your spirit lives on.
Posted by: Crandall | July 23, 2009 at 02:53 PM
May Gidget Rest in Peace,, I'm glad to know she had a wonderful life & was loved & cared for..
Posted by: Kimberly | July 23, 2009 at 07:01 PM
My dog is devistated.
Posted by: david | July 23, 2009 at 07:54 PM
This is stupid, its just a dog. They die every day... like humans.
Posted by: Rich | July 23, 2009 at 11:20 PM
AWWWWWW YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MY WHOLE FAMILY RIP
Posted by: Alan | July 26, 2009 at 03:08 PM
I think my dog would make the perfect tacobell dog!
Posted by: Nichole | July 30, 2009 at 05:19 PM
dam its just a dog gosh!u pplz make it sound like its one of ur relative geez
Posted by: stephanie | August 03, 2009 at 08:27 PM
i think it is sad that she died, but also she had a good life and she was probably like one of the family like my puppy precious and it is hard on the family, i send my condolences and prayers, my puppy loves taco bell and she sees taco bell signs or commercials and she goes crazy for taco bell she almost has the words "taco bell" down its tooo cute.
Posted by: janie fassett | September 16, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I have all of the Taco Bell Dogs that were given away a few years back. All of them except the last one that sang the Ray Charles song......Can you help me find one?
Posted by: SANDY RICE | September 25, 2009 at 08:40 PM
aww she was in legally blonde?
ima guna miss that pup. xoxo.
R.i.P Gidget bby.<3
Posted by: Mariah | September 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM
TE AMO GIDGET
Posted by: Shanique Kindrex | October 02, 2009 at 12:10 PM