1. Clint Eastwood
Animal co-stars have a way of stealing the spotlight—even from Hollywood’s biggest names. Whether it was a slobbery sidekick, a scene-stealing primate, or a hilarious rivalry with a puppet gopher, these 12 movie stars had moments with animals that audiences never forgot. Some shared heartfelt bonds with their furry (or feathered) co-stars, while others found comedy in the chaos. Either way, these scenes became iconic parts of their careers.
Clint Eastwood spent much of the late ’70s and early ’80s playing tough guys, but his unlikely partnership with Clyde, the orangutan in Every Which Way But Loose (1978) and Any Which Way You Can (1980), showed his softer, funnier side. Clyde’s mischievous charm and Eastwood’s deadpan delivery made for a buddy duo audiences loved—proving that even one of cinema’s most rugged stars could hold his own alongside a scene-stealing animal.
2. Teri Garr
In The Black Stallion Returns (1983), Teri Garr’s supporting role placed her in the middle of one of cinema’s most beloved animal tales. Her natural ease around the majestic stallion helped ground the story’s emotional core. Garr’s ability to make her interactions with animals feel genuine also shone through in comedic moments in films like Tootsie (1982), where animals popped in for laughs.
3. Bill Murray
Bill Murray’s feud with a puppet gopher in Caddyshack (1980) is one of the funniest human-animal rivalries in film history. Even though the gopher wasn’t real, Murray’s improvisation made it feel alive—and deadly annoying. His knack for making animal moments memorable would carry on throughout his career, including voicing the sarcastic Garfield decades later.
4. Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy didn’t have a single defining ’80s animal role, but scenes in Best Defense (1984) and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) showed how easily he could play off unpredictable animal co-stars. His quick wit and energy made even brief encounters with animals hilarious—skills he later brought to Doctor Dolittle (1998).
5. Tom Hanks
Hanks’ chemistry with Hooch, the slobbery Dogue de Bordeaux in Turner & Hooch (1989), turned what could have been a simple buddy-cop comedy into a heartfelt classic. Even in Splash (1984), ocean creatures added to the magic, showing Hanks could create genuine bonds with animals big or small. More on Turner & Hooch
6. Kevin Costner
In Silverado (1985), Kevin Costner‘s easy rapport with his horse added authenticity to his Western role—a quality that carried into Dances with Wolves (1990), where his bond with horses and wolves became central to the story’s heart. Even before that Oscar-winner, audiences could tell Costner worked seamlessly with animal co-stars.
7. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg’s sharp comedic instincts made her a natural at sharing scenes with animals. In The Color Purple (1985) and Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), her interactions with animals were small but memorable. Later, in Ghost (1990), she even found herself in a key emotional moment with a cat—proof she could make animal moments resonate.
8. Michael J. Fox
Fox’s interactions with Einstein, the sheepdog in Back to the Future (1985), were brief but memorable, instantly selling Doc Brown’s eccentric world. In Teen Wolf (1985), he took on a more symbolic “animal” role, and later voiced Chance the bulldog in Homeward Bound (1993), showing his versatility in bringing warmth to animal-centered stories.
9. Jeff Bridges
In Starman (1984), Jeff Bridges delivered one of the most touching animal moments of the decade—reviving a deer in a quiet, emotional scene that revealed his alien character’s humanity. That single moment remains one of the film’s most iconic, showing how a well-placed animal interaction can deepen a performance.
10. Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase’s knack for slapstick made his run-ins with animals in National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) and Funny Farm (1988) instant comedic gold. From dogs and horses to assorted wildlife chaos, Chase knew how to use animal moments for maximum laughs without overshadowing the rest of the story.
11. Kathleen Turner
In Romancing the Stone (1984), Turner navigated jungles and wild animals with charm and wit. Later, in The War of the Roses (1989), a pet dog played a surprising role in the escalating battle between her and Michael Douglas—proving that animals could add bite to even the darkest comedy.
12. Richard Gere
While not known for constant animal roles, Gere’s softer moments with dogs in American Gigolo (1980) and Breathless (1983) hinted at the warmth he would bring years later in Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009). His grounded, natural style made animal moments feel genuine, no matter how small.
This story, 12 Movie Stars Who Had Unforgettable On-Screen Animal Moments was featured on Daily Fetch in Aug, 2025
