Benji, center, with Jon Stone and Gary Coleman at the 1979 Emmy Awards
Benji heads for the beard of "John Stone" (sic)
Benji is a canine star who made his film debut in 1974's Benji. The original Benji was played by Higgins, a dog trained by Frank Inn and used on the sitcom Petticoat Junction.
Higgins' daughter Benjean took over for most subsequent projects, including the direct sequel For the Love of Benji (1977), Benji the Hunted (1987), the oddball Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980, in which Chevy Chase is reincarnated as Benji), various specials, and the Hanna-Barbera live-action series Benji, Zax & the Alien Prince (1983-1984). In his heyday, Benji ranked with the likes of Lassie and Rin Tin Tin as a canine celebrity.
On the 1979 Emmy Awards broadcast, Benji was co-presenter with Gary Coleman of the Outstanding Children's Program award. After prompting a formally clad Benji to go back to fetch the envelope, Coleman read the winner, Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Accepting the award was Jon Stone, who stopped to pet Benji before quipping "I was afraid to win. I'm afraid he's gonna bite me." During the acceptance speech, Benji tried to nuzzle Stone's beard.
References[]
- In a scripted line for Sesame Street Episode 1178 (cut from the aired version), after James Earl Jones signs an autograph for Mr. Hooper, Big Bird remarks that "Benji's a famous movie star, but I don't think he can sign his name."
- Rowlf the Dog, when interviewing Kirk Nurock in Muppet Magazine issue 5, asks Nurock why he chose fox terrier Emily for his "Sonata for Piano and Dog," instead of "a big show dog like Lassie or Benji? You know, a big name?"