Uggie the Dog, Star of The Artist, Dies at 13

Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier who starred in the 2011 film The Artist, has died at age 13.

Uggie was put to sleep on Friday in Los Angeles after battling a prostate tumor that had worsened in recent weeks, TMZ reports.

His owner, professional trainer Omar Von Muller, adopted Uggie in 2002 just as he was about to be sent to a dog pound after several owners rejected him for being too wild. Uggie lived with Von Muller and his family in North Hollywood, and went on to star in commercials and films including Water for Elephants (2011) and Mr. Fix It (2006), though he is best known for The Artist.

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After stealing several scenes alongside star Jean Dujardin in the black-and-white silent film, the furry actor became a fixture on the awards circuit in 2012, and even sparked a campaign calling for the Oscars to create a special category so that he would be eligible for an individual award. The Artist went on to win several accolades, including Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and Uggie was given the Palm Dog Award at the Cannes Film Festival. He became the first dog to leave his paw prints in the cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

In October 2012, he published an autobiography called Uggie -- My Story, in which he expressed his sadness at losing a part in Beginners to fellow canine thespian Cosmo. "I was disappointed at first," he wrote. (No hard feelings -- Uggie and Cosmo were pals.)

Uggie officially retired from acting in 2012. His final performance was a cameo in the 2013 TV movie Holiday Road Trip.

Watch Uggie celebrate The Artist's Oscar win below.