Bob Weatherwax, renowned for continuing his family's Hollywood legacy as the trainer of the beloved collie Lassie, has died.
At 83, Bob Weatherwax passed away at a Veterans Administration facility in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, ending an era for cinema’s most famous canines, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
The son of Rudd Weatherwax, Bob succeeded his father in training the original Lassie, a collie named Pal, who first portrayed the heroic dog on screen. Born on June 4, 1941, in Burbank, California, Bob’s career was deeply rooted in his family's tradition of animal training, which included iconic dogs in "The Thin Man," "The Wizard of Oz," and "Old Yeller."
In his youth, Bob Weatherwax learned animal training techniques and developed his passion from his father and uncles, who worked on classic Hollywood sets. His uncle trained Toto for "The Wizard of Oz" and Spike for "Old Yeller," establishing the Weatherwax trademark in cinematic history.
After returning from his service in the U.S. Army, Bob took up the family mantle and continued evolving the role of animal actors in movies and television. He prominently showcased his dedication in various adaptations of the Lassie series and films like "The Magic of Lassie" and a 1994 Lassie movie, which continued to endear the collie to audiences worldwide.
Bob Weatherwax shared his insights into transforming dog training in films, emphasizing the emotional connection viewers develop with these animal actors.
“Due to my father’s genius, we transformed the training of dogs from simple props on a movie set into actors who seemed to behave with human-like emotions,” Weatherwax noted.
Weatherwax’s career also saw him navigate a changing industry. In 2002, despite his objections, his family sold the Lassie trademark, highlighting the commercial pressures within Hollywood. Nevertheless, Bob penned "Four Feet to Fame" in 2017—a heartfelt homage to his father and their shared legacy, exemplifying his deep connection to his roots.
Bob Weatherwax, in addition to his illustrious career, founded Weatherwax Trained Dogs, embedding his expertise and passion for animal training into a professional brand that served the entertainment industry for decades. He extended his work beyond training by counseling others on animal actors.
Bob's last collie, a direct descendant of the Weatherwax-trained Lassies, symbolized the personal and professional legacy that Bob was passionate about preserving. His son, Robert Weatherwax, confirmed his death and continues to contribute to the family’s legacy in the same field.
The passing of Bob Weatherwax marks more than just the loss of a Hollywood animal trainer. It signifies the end of a generational era when animals were not only performers but also key emotional elements of cinematic storytelling.
Consequently, Bob's long career and his family's historical impact have left a legacy that transformed how viewers see animals on screen.
Furthermore, Weatherwax dedicated himself to maintaining the artistic integrity and emotional depth of animal actors, thereby leaving a lasting imprint on the industry. His work contributed significantly to the warmth and authenticity that well-trained, compassionate animal characters provide on screen.
