Famous Pets You Never Realized Passed Away

Pets have achieved internet stardom in numerous ways, from a well-timed, humorous cat or dog photo or a life shared online that garners millions of followers. Others make a name for themselves through their amazing feats or charitable works. Like a host of influencers before them, many of these remarkable pets captured the public's attention, only to disappear from the limelight following their deaths surrounded by those who cared for them through all their accomplishments.

As fans of all things furry and cute, we don't always realize when celebrity pets pass. Like their famous human counterparts, animals come and go, with new stars becoming the latest talk of the town as fresh stories, videos, or memes pop up. Such famous pets may be instantly recognizable to most, but only some are aware of their passing or the full scope of how they made the world a better place with their playful antics or hard work. Gone but not forgotten, these amazing celebrity pets deserve to be honored for their numerous accomplishments and the many smiles they brought to those around them and the public at large.

Lil Bub, an adorably inquisitive cat with a unique appearance, took the internet by storm. Her small stature and little tongue hanging out helped make her one of the most beloved online felines. Lil Bub was inspirational to many, pushing through various medical conditions to live a happy life. Before her death, Lil Bub had amassed 2.4 million Instagram followers, made multiple TV appearances, and "wrote" a book, "Lil BUB's Lil Book: The Extraordinary Life of the Most Amazing Cat on the Planet."

Lil Bub's unique look came from a host of health issues and birth defects, including feline dwarfism and osteopetrosis ("the only cat in recorded history to have been born with this disease" according to her official website). The runt of the litter, she was saved by her owner, Mike Bridavsky, who started posting about his companion online, leading to quick stardom. Yet, it was the same health conditions that helped make Lil Bub famous that eventually led to her passing in her sleep due to what Bridavsky described as a "persistent and aggressive bone infection" on December 1, 2019, at the age of 8.

Lil Bub's star shone brightly but briefly. In his goodbye post to his friend on Instagram, Bridavsky stated, "It is impossible to put into words the profound effect that BUB has had on my life, on the lives of thousands of homeless pets, and on the lives of those of you that have cared for her as if she were your own family."

If you go back to 2012, you would be hard-pressed to log on to any social media platform and not see the domestic shorthair Tardar Sauce, more affectionately known as Grumpy Cat. Tardar Sauce, named after her pattern and demeanor, became the most memed cat of her time, with her sour-looking appearance replicated by millions of fans in photos and original art pieces. Estimated to have a net worth of over 100 million in 2014, Grumpy Cat saw herself on merchandise, making appearances on TV, completing meet and greets with fans, and even starring in a Lifetime TV movie, "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever."

Tardar Sauce's unique appearance resulted from health issues, including feline dwarfism and an underbite. Sadly, the sour-looking puss died at the young age of 7 on May 14, 2019 due to "complications from a recent urinary tract infection," according to her owner, Tabatha Bundesen. Bundesen related the impact of the loss and worldwide love that Tardar Sauce saw in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, "Besides being our baby and a cherished member of the family, Grumpy Cat has helped millions of people smile all around the world — even when times were tough. Her spirit will continue to live on through her fans everywhere."

Manny, one of the cutest French bulldogs ever to grace the internet, was a beloved social media personality who turned his 1 million Instagram followers into a lucrative business, selling everything from tote bags bearing his adorable face to throw pillows. Yet, Manny's greatest work may have come in the form of his hit book "Manny the Frenchie's Art of Happiness." However, the Instafamous bulldog and his owner, Amber Chavez's, legacy went beyond building a lucrative life for themselves, as they used their stardom to benefit charity.

Manny became known as the world's most famous "philanthro-PUP." The lovable Frenchie used his charms to help raise funds for charitable organizations like ASPCA and the Special Olympics. Manny also stepped up for his fellow furry friends, working with organizations like Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, Best Friends Animal Society, and Morris Animal Foundation, which raised funds and awareness for cancer in pets.

After experiencing breathing issues, the kind-hearted doggo passed on June 21, 2023 at the age of 12, putting him at the top end of the average life expectancy for a French bulldog. Chavez announced Manny's death on Instagram, writing, "We know how much Manny was loved around the world and find some comfort in knowing so many people are sharing in our grief. I will miss him and honor him forever and beyond."

Ricochet the golden retriever did not go as viral as some other pets, however, you have the pooch to thank for bringing canine surfing adventures to global attention with her special twist on the sport. Trained as a support dog before finding her knack for riding the waves, Ricochet combined the two skill sets to become the world's first known canine-assisted surf therapy dog. This tubular title saw Ricochet go on to be an advocate for many groups that supported veterans, combining her love of surfing and bonding with people.

On March 31, 2023, owner Judy Fridono returned home to find Ricochet struggling to breathe and stand. After taking her to the vet and discovering that cancer had caused her to develop multiple health issues, including liver rupture, Fridono decided to let the inspirational dog cross over the rainbow bridge at the age of 15. The pet mom addressed the remarkable golden retriever's death and the many lives she touched on Instagram, writing, "My heart is full of sadness and gratitude today. Sad because Ricochet is physically gone, and grateful for the long and triumph life she lived to the fullest... helping millions along the way."

You may not have heard of Fatso, but you certainly have heard the orange tabby cat's solo on the keyboard, a viral YouTube video that has amassed over 78 million views since it debuted on the platform on June 7, 2007. Fatso's performance was early internet memery at its most wholesome, as she would live on as Keyboard Cat online while enjoying a peaceful life behind the scenes. In fact, the original video was recorded all the way back in 1984, long before the concept of internet stardom for a pet was even a consideration.

Fatso died in 1987, with her age and the reason never disclosed by owner Charlie Schmidt. However, Schmidt preserved the legacy of the adorable cat he had recorded decades earlier on VHS through Bento, another keyboard-playing cat who secured sponsorships and marketing deals. Bento himself died at the age of 9 on March 8, 2018, due to liver cancer. Schmidt's cat Skinny now holds the title of the current Keyboard Cat. Still, none of the successors ever had quite the same star power as the ultra-viral Fatso, whose silly video with her dad took the internet by storm when it was unearthed and shared with the world.

Noodle the pug became a TikTok sensation with his game called "No Bones," which centered on his owner Jonathan Graziano seeing whether his charming but lazy pup would stand up (Bones Day) or flop back down (No Bones Day). Fans played along, using Noodle's reaction to determine whether their day would center on rest or productivity. This ritual earned Noodle and Graziano a large following, with the TikTok channel sitting at 4.2 million followers as of late 2024. Noodle, who rose to fame in his twilight years, advocated for adopting older and homeless dogs needing a home. He and his owner put out two children's books to help raise awareness, including "Noodle and the No Bones Day" and "Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain."

Graziano knew his time with Noodle would be short, but he made the most of it. The elderly pug that motivated millions to start their day on the right foot passed peacefully at 14.5 years of age on December 2, 2022 in Graziano's arms. Taking to social media, the proud parent of the inspirational pup thanked Noodle's fans in an emotional TikTok video, saying, "He lived 14 and a half years, which is about as long as you can hope a dog can, and he made millions of people happy. What a run. Thank you for loving him, thank you for embracing us."

Seemingly caught up in a continual case of the Mondays, Pot Roast became one of the internet's most followed black-and-white domestic cats, with her frazzled look endearing many. Before her passing, Pot Roast's TikTok had amassed nearly 1 million followers. However, not just her looks drew in fans, as many became invested in Pot Roast's experiences with various health problems.

Going by Pot Roast's Mom online, her owner said she adopted the sleepy-looking feline in 2014 when a shelter gave her away for $20 because of medical issues. These were reportedly never fully disclosed, and the cat parent soon found that she was on a medical journey with the new kitty she instantly fell in love with. While living with issues like feline herpes and stomatitis, Pot Roast ended up contracting feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), leading to further complications.

Pot Roast's FIV spread into her bone marrow, stopping the production of red and white blood cells. She died at the age of 7 on February 16, 2022. While Pot Roast's passing came with some controversy, the online response was primarily one of heartfelt condolences. Pot Roast's Mom was there for the last moments of the cat that kept her company throughout her studies at college, saying in a TikTok, "It was just her and me, And I am grateful for every moment we had together."

A high roller in the crypto market, Mr. Goxx may have started as a poke at the ever-fluctuating currency, but he soon became a fan favorite. From his Goxx Box, the "crypto-trading hamster" made a series of decisions based on his naturally playful actions. His owners, two German men who chose to remain anonymous, stated (via BBC) that the project started as a jest between them, "We were joking about whether my hamster would be able to make smarter investment decisions than we humans do."

To their surprise, Mr. Goxx made some sound financial choices and ended his career up €98.20. The hamster garnered attention on X, and his popularity was amplified when the current owner of the platform, Elon Musk, shared the pet's crypto journey. His investments were also broadcast on Twitch, where many viewers tuned in to. The clever little fluff even got a shoutout on "The Daily Show." 

The tech publicity stunt turned celebrity hamster died around November 24, 2021. His owners were uncertain of the cause, stating that he suddenly stopped eating and went to sleep. "You will be missed, and your memory will live forever on the blockchain," they wrote on Reddit.

Henri became the poster cat for existential crises when his owner, Will Braden, decided to feature the classy-looking feline in a short film series on YouTube entitled "Henri, le Chat Noir." The long-haired tuxedo kitty spoke about the futility of life and his frustrations with the other Braden family cat he referred to as "the white imbecile." Most episodes amassed over 600k views, and the short films brought Henri accolades in the world of film, with Roger Ebert sharing Henri's debut film in the Chicago Sunday Times, calling it "The best cat video of all time." Henri went on to appear in two aptly named books "Henri, le Chat Noir: The Existential Musings of an Angst-Filled Cat," and "Henri, le Chat Noir: Reflections on Human Folly from a Feline Philosopher."

Henri gave his final performance on May 18, 2018 in the short film "Oh, revoir." Yet, this only marked the contemplative kitty's retirement from the screen. He lived for two more years, dying in December 2020 at the age of 17 after experiencing ongoing issues with his spine. Braden took to Facebook to announce the passing of Henri, saying, "I know that hearing this sad news will be difficult. But remember that Henri lives on in your memories as well as ours, and in the amusement he brought to all of you. The foremost goal was always to make people laugh!"

Marnie, a shih tzu, won over the masses with her cute, inquisitive head tilt and tongue sticking out. Her friendly demeanor and eccentric personality saw little Marnie garner a vast Instagram fandom, standing at 1.5 million followers in late 2024. Her social media also shows how much of a celebrity Marnie became, catching pictures with Jennifer Coolidge, Betty White, Bob Saget, Tina Fey, Demi Lovato, and Chance the Rapper, to name a fraction of her famous friends. Like many beloved celebrity pups, her story eventually made it into print via the adorably titled "Marnie the Dog: I'm a Book."

Marnie's rise to fame was a remarkable tale of endurance. She was found abandoned and put up for adoption at around the age of 10 before eventually making her way home with owner Shirley Braha. Marnie needed a lot of love and care, including having her teeth extracted due to rot. Still, once she was up and in shape, Braha fell in love with her unique fur baby.

Braha was grateful for the time she spent with her pooch, who lived an unexpectedly long life. Marnie passed peacefully at the age of 18 on March 5, 2020. Braha shared her love for her companion in an Instagram post, writing, "I'm amazed that the sweet little hot mess of a pup that I picked up from a shelter at age 11, who at first didn't seem like she would be around very long at all, has managed to inspire others to adopt senior dogs."

With the dapper name Kuma von Clifford, fans of Nick Jr.'s "Mutt & Stuff" would come to know the mixed breed dog simply as "Grandma." Kuma starred in the first five episodes of Disney's "Dog with the Blog" before moving on to Calvin Millan's series on Nickelodeon. Across 74 episodes, Kuma acted as the doting caretaker to the various puppies appearing on the program. While Kuma was a boy, he filled the role of loving mother to the little ones, showing the vital bond between parents and their offspring.

Kuma von Clifford wasn't Instagram famous. Still, he entertained kids in both his TV appearances and taught them valuable lessons about the importance of treating all furry companions with love and respect. The adorably large puppo also showcased the hard work ethic that has made dogs beloved entertainers on the screen. In his personal life, Kuma acted as a shelter dog ambassador and attended charity events.

Owner Sarah Clifford received many fan letters for Kuma, and she was quick to express her love for her beloved companion after his passing at age 16 on November 21, 2018 due to a stroke. In an email to Deadline, Clifford said, "Losing Kuma is the hardest thing I have ever gone through. He was my best friend and the smartest dog I have ever known in my 40 years of life."