“I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky,” co-star Reese Witherspoon says of the pooch, also known as Moonie
Bruiser Woods, the beloved Chihuahua star of the “Legally Blonde” movies, has died. He was 18.
Also known as Moonie, the pint-sized pooch’s human co-star, Reese Witherspoon, confirmed his death in an emotional Instagram post on Friday.
“With a sad heart, I have to let all the #LegallyBlonde fans know that Bruiser Woods (also known as Moonie) passed away yesterday,” the actress wrote, along with a photo of them together from the film.
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“He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved. I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky. Sending love to his trainer, the wonderful @tailsticks #RIPBruiser.”
Bruiser’s trainer, Sue Chip, also posted to Instagram on Thursday, saying: “On this day – a day of ‘throwbacks’ I give you one of the greatest little dogs…’Moonie’ of ‘Legally Blonde’ fame. I’m sad to say that this morning in Los Angeles he left us. He was a whopping 18 years old. I remember the day I brought him home as a puppy.”
Bruiser was catapulted to fame as a mere pup in the 2001 hit comedy “Legally Blonde,” playing Elle Woods’ (Witherspoon) trusty sidekick and lap dog as she struggled to win back her ex-boyfriend by earning a law degree.
Also Read: Uggie the Dog, 'Artist' Canine Star, Dead at 13
The pink designer clothes-wearing dog is featured even more prominently in the film’s 2003 sequel, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” as Witherspoon’s character attempts to reunite Bruiser with his mother so that she can attend Elle’s wedding.
Much to her horror, Elle discovers that the owner of her dog’s mother is a cosmetics company that uses her for “testing” — and that her law firm represents the C’est Magnifique Corporation.
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Along with starring in the two cult comedies, Bruiser also joined Witherspoon on the red carpet in 2010, when she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (pictured below).
Reese Witherspoon Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame” width=”618” height=”412” data-credit=”getty images” srcset=”http://www.thewrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Reese-Witherspoon-and-Bruiser–300×200.jpg 300w, http://www.thewrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Reese-Witherspoon-and-Bruiser–340×226.jpg 340w, http://www.thewrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Reese-Witherspoon-and-Bruiser-.jpg 618w” sizes=”(max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px” />
In human years, Bruiser was 88 at the time of his death.
Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2016 (Photos)
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Vilmos Zsigmond, the Academy Award-winning cinematographer for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," died in Big Sur, California on Jan. 1 at the age of 85.
Getty ImagesCraig Strickland, frontman for the country band Backroad Anthem, was found dead from hypothermia on Jan. 4. He was last seen on Dec. 27 when his boat capsized while duck hunting in Oklahoma. He was 29.
Clayton TaylorRobert Stigwood, former manager of Cream and The Bee Gees, died in London on Jan. 4 at the age of 81. He produced the smash hit albums "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease."
Getty ImagesPat Harrington Jr. died from complications of Alzheimer's on Jan. 6. He is best known for playing superintendent Schneider on the 1970s CBS sitcom "One Day at a Time."
CBSSian Blake, who starred in the British soap "EastEnders" in the 1990s, was found buried in her garden with her two children on Jan. 5. Police were investigating the deaths.
Metropolitan PoliceIconic singer-songwriter and style icon David Bowie died on Jan. 10, two days after the release of his 25th album "Blackstar." He was 69 years old.
Getty ImagesAlan Rickman, the British film icon known worldwide for roles in "Die Hard" and the "Harry Potter" films, died on Jan. 14 from cancer. He was 69.
Getty ImagesCeline Dion’s husband and former manager, René Angélil, died on Jan. 14 following a battle with cancer. He was 73.
Getty ImagesGlenn Frey, the singer, guitarist and founding member of The Eagles, died on January 18 at 67. The musician and co-writer of hits like “Hotel California” and “Take It Easy” had been struggling with intestinal issues.
Getty ImagesAbe Vigoda, star of "The Godfather" and "Barney Miller," died on January 26 at 94. Vigoda earned three Emmy nominations for his performance as a police detective in "Barney Miller" and became famous beyond the screen for numerous false reports of his death. Vigoda kept taking acting jobs until 2014.
ABCJoe Alaskey, legendary voice actor, died on February 3 at 63. Alaskey began voicing several Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, in 1989 following the death of original Looney Tunes voice actor Mel Blanc. Alaskey's performance as Daffy in the cartoon "Duck Dodgers" earned him an Emmy in 2004.
Getty ImagesPaul Kantner, founding member of Jefferson Airplane, died January 28 at 74. Kantner was the only member of Jefferson Airplane to also appear on all the albums of the band's successor, Jefferson Starship.
Getty ImagesMaurice White, founder of Earth, Wind, and Fire, died on February 3 at age 74. Under White's leadership, Earth, Wind, and Fire won six Grammys and reached the top of the charts through songs like "Shining Star" and "In the Stone." Though a Parkinson's diagnosis ended his touring career in 1994, he remained an active part of the music industry until his death.
Verdine WhiteDenise Matthews, a.k.a. Vanity, died on February 15 at 57. Matthews was known as the protege of Prince and a member of Vanity 6. Matthews had long suffered from kidney failure and was being treated for abdominal illness shortly before her death.
Rolling StoneGeorge Gaynes, star of the "Police Academy" films, died on February 15 at 98. Gaynes played Commandant Eric Lassard, the head of the titular academy. He also had famous roles as the grumpy foster father Henry Warnimont in "Punky Brewster" and as an actor smitten with a cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie."
Warner Bros. Harper Lee, author of the literary classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," died in her sleep in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama during the early morning hours of Feb. 19. She was 89 years old.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; HarperCollinsGeorge Kennedy died of a heart ailment on Feb. 28 at age 91. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "Cool Hand Luke" and also co-starred in "The Dirty Dozen," "Airport" and "The Naked Gun" films.
Nancy Reagan died of congestive heart failure on Mar. 6 at age 94. The actress-turned-first lady starred in films such as “Night Into Morning” (1951) and “Hellcats of the Navy” (1957), in which she appeared with her husband, eventual President Ronald Reagan, and led the “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign of the 1980s.
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A look back at the stars of movies, TV, media and music we lost this year