Bart the Bear was an American actor known for his roles in films such as The Great Outdoors, On Deadly Ground, and The Edge. Born on January 10, 1977, in Baltimore, Maryland, he gained fame as one of Hollywood’s most remarkable animal stars.
Personal and Family Life
Bart the Bear was brought into the world by animal trainer Doug Seus and began his acting career in 1980. He was a Kodiak bear from Alaska and grew to an impressive height of 9 feet. Bart had a sibling named Tank the Bear. The Seus family later adopted two young bears, Little Bart and Honey Bump, after their mother was killed.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Bart starred in numerous films and was recognized for his unique acting abilities. He worked alongside notable actors like John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, and Anthony Hopkins. Bart’s talent earned him a special appearance at the 70th Academy Awards, where he and his trainer presented an award.
Death and Legacy
Bart the Bear passed away on May 10, 2000, in Park City, Utah, due to cancer at the age of 23. His death occurred during the filming of the documentary Growing Up Grizzly, which was presented by Brad Pitt. In honor of Bart, Doug and Lynne Seus established the Vital Ground Foundation to protect grizzly bears and their habitats.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| White Fang | 1991-01-18 | The Bear |
| Windwalker | 1980-12-12 | Bear |
| The Clan of the Cave Bear | 1986-01-17 | The Cave Bear |
| Benji the Hunted | 1987-06-05 | Bear |
| The Great Outdoors | 1988-06-17 | The Bald-Headed Bear (Jody) |
| L’Ours | 1988-10-21 | The Kodiak Bear |
| Lost in the Barrens | 1990-01-01 | Bear |
| The Giant of Thunder Mountain | 1990-12-25 | Bear |
| Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey | 1993-02-03 | Bear |
| On Deadly Ground | 1994-02-18 | Bear |
| Legends of the Fall | 1994-12-23 | Bear |
| Twelve Monkeys | 1995-12-29 | Bear |
| Walking Thunder | 1997-01-01 | Walking Thunder |
| The Edge | 1997-09-06 | Bear |
| Meet the Deedles | 1998-03-27 | Bear |
| Berserker | 1987-07-04 | Bear |
| Louis L’Amour’s Down the Long Hills | 1986-11-15 | The Bear |
| The Gambler: The Adventure Continues | 1983-11-28 | The Bear |