The Oscars

Forget Brad and George... the real star of the Oscars is Uggie the dog.

He will not win an Oscar but the biggest star of this year’s Academy Awards is Uggie the dog.
The four-legged star of pre-Oscar favourite film The Artist was in as much demand as his human counterparts before last night’s glittering ceremony.
The 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier was the toast of Tinseltown as Hollywood prepared for its biggest night of the year.

The artists: Best actor winner Jean Dujardin shares his moment in the spotlight with Uggie the dog

‘Uggie has a schedule to rival any star in this town,’ noted Cindi Berger, chairman and CEO of PMK BNC public relations, a company which represents a bevy of major stars.

One network show was desperate to get hold of Uggie — and completely uninterested in his two-legged co-stars.

Star canine: Uggie has become a global star since his starring role in The Artist

Mans best friend: Uggie has a demanding press schedule that rivals even the biggest Hollywood stars

Harvey Weinstein, who acquired The Artist for distribution long before its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, called Uggie his ‘secret weapon’.
‘He’s up there with the big ones,’ Weinstein declared as Uggie turned up at Weinstein’s pre-Oscar bash at the swanky West Hollywood club Soho House on Saturday night.
The popular pooch sported a leather collar with an 18 carat yellow gold bone inscribed with his name, which had been specially designed for him by Chopard the jewelers.

The winners: The cast and crew of The Artist celebrate their multiple Oscar wins last night in Hollywood

Party time: Co-Chairman of The Weinstein Company Harvey Weinstein, Uggie the dog and designer Georgina Chapman attend an after party

Then yesterday the pooch arrived at the fabled Chateau Marmont Hotel on Sunset Boulevard to be primped and pampered for Oscar night although he was still deciding what Oscar night after-parties to attend.
He was accompanied by his entourage: owner and trainer Omar Von Muller; grooming consultant Michelle Day; and executive Katie Doyle from the LA office of Weinstein Co, who was ‘holding his hand’. Or paw.
First off, Uggie was given a shampoo, wash and brush. Ms Day then gave him a blow dry.

In demand: Daily Mail reporter Baz Bamigboye interviews Uggie The Jack Russell Terrier, and star of the Silent film The Artist as the pooch gets ready for the Oscars

After that, he had his nails buffed. Then he lay on a bed at the Chateau and watched early arrivals on the red carpet.

To break things up a little, Uggie went for walkies in the Chateau’s garden, and soon attracted a crowd of the kind of people who are usually so jaded they wouldn’t move from their seat if James Bond strolled past. Naked.
The terrier took all the adoration in his stride. ‘He has no idea how famous he is,’ sighed Mr Von Muller, as he popped Uggie a Tillman Natural Balance beef and vegetable treat.

Pampered: Uggie relaxes at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles before his big night

Smart: Uggie looks every inch the Hollywood star as he prepared for one of the biggest nights of his life. His pre-Oscars schedule was said to be just as hectic as major actors and actresses

‘He has worked his whole life and now, at the age of ten, he’s winding down, right at the height of his fame’ said Mr Von Muller.
After the Oscars are over, he’ll just do the occasional commercial, but no more films. 
He doesn’t get out of doggie basket for less £500 an hour and is now a spokesdog for a Nintendo 3DS pet-related game, despite it being recently revealed that he suffers from a neurological disorder.

Big role: Berenice Bejo as Peppy Miller and Uggie the Jack Russell dog, in The Artist

Glamour: George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) and Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejol) in the pre-Oscar favourite film The Artist