Film & TV Unit

Tribute to Bart the Bear

On May 10, 2000 one of the great animal actors of our time, a 1,500 pound, 91/2 foot tall Kodiak bear who was featured alongside human stars such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Brad Pitt died of cancer at age 23. Bart the Bear was a legend in the film industry and beloved for his extraordinary relationship with his trainers, Doug and Lynne Seus.

Bart was merely 5 pounds when Doug and Lynne adopted him from the Baltimore Zoo and took him to their wildlife ranch near Heber City, Utah, 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Bart made his acting debut in the 1980's movie Windwalker. More recently he appeared in The Edge with Hopkins and Legends of the Fall starring Brad Pitt. His extensive credits include the starring role in director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s acclaimed film, The Bear.

American Humane's Film and Television Unit has many fond memories of being on set with the massive actor. Bart was also a presenter on the Academy Awards in 1998. Gini Barrett, former director of the Western Regional Office, observed as members of the Academy watched Bart and Doug, in awe of the sacred trust and humane training that earmarked this unique relationship.

"Every single person wanted to be backstage watching Bart. Bart would finish his little bit and Doug would go up to him and give him a big bear hug and Bart would take Doug's head in his mouth and give him a slobber. It illustrated how people and animals can reach across the species barrier and really communicate. It was magic."Bart was also the "spokesbear" for the Vital Ground Foundation which buys habitat along the Rocky mountain front and on Kodiak Island, Alaska. For more information go to http://www.vitalground.org/.

We will miss you Bart and send you off with applause and your favorite words: "Good Boy, Bart. Good Job."