Article Overview
During the entire duration of the show Frasier, Moose, along with his son Enzo, who were both exceptionally skilled Jack Russell Terriers, portrayed the character of Eddie. Interestingly, Moose garnered a significantly larger volume of fan mail than the rest of the cast.
Moose was bred in anticipation of his puppies potentially taking over his role on the show. He portrayed Eddie for the initial eight seasons, after which Enzo assumed the character for the remaining duration.
The Frasier reboot introduces a Dalmatian as Frasier's newest rival, invoking nostalgia from the original series and honoring both Eddie and the dogs that portrayed him.
How many different dogs portrayed Eddie, the Frasier dog, throughout the show's eleven seasons? Dr. Frasier Crane's character was initially introduced during the third season of Cheers as a romantic interest for Diane. Originally intended to appear in only a few episodes, Kelsey Grammer's portrayal became extremely popular, resulting in his continued presence as a regular cast member for the remainder of the series. As Cheers was concluding, Grammer reached an agreement with NBC to headline a new sitcom, although the initial concept was not well-received. Consequently, NBC insisted on a Frasier spinoff with Grammer as the lead. Tune in to Paramount+ to watch.
Frasier made its debut in 1993 and quickly became a beloved sitcom in its own right. The show revolved around Frasier's relocation to Seattle, where he reconnected with his supposedly deceased father Marty Crane from Cheers, as well as his brother, while trying to forge a new life. With its impeccable casting and clever comedic writing, Frasier emerged as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, running for a remarkable eleven years. Notably, it wasn't just the human characters on the show that captivated the audience; there was also a great deal of affection for the dog residing in Frasier's apartment.
Two Dogs Played Eddie On Frasier
In the hit series Frasier, the central character is the eponymous psychiatrist. However, the show owes much of its success to the talented supporting cast, which includes Niles, portrayed by David Hyde Pierce, and Roz, portrayed by Peri Gilpin. One standout performer in the series is Eddie, Martin Crane's beloved Jack Russell Terrier. Known for his exceptional intelligence, Eddie had a knack for irritating Frasier, played by Grammer, with nothing more than a silent, prolonged stare. What some fans may not know is that two Jack Russell Terriers took on the role of Eddie during the show's run: Moose and his son, Enzo.
What Happened To The Frasier Dogs
Moose, a three-year-old at the time, was praised by the Frasier cast for his exceptional training. He effortlessly executed a variety of tricks on command and received more fan mail than the rest of the cast during the show's peak popularity. In addition to his role on Frasier, Moose played the titular character in the 2000 film My Dog Skip as "old Skip." However, his son Enzo eventually took over the role on Frasier.
When Frasier became a hit, it was decided to breed Moose so that his puppies could potentially take over his role in the future. Moose portrayed Eddie on Frasier for most of the initial eight seasons, and after retiring, Enzo filled in for the rest of the show.
During the filming of the last episode of Frasier, Moose's trainer brought him back to the set for a final appearance with the cast. Despite Moose's fur turning white and his hearing loss, Pierce remembers that the dog could still recognize the applause from the audience. In the Frasier revival, it is revealed that Eddie has passed away, just like the two dogs who portrayed him. Moose passed away in 2006 at the age of 15, while Enzo died at 14 in 2010.
How The Frasier Reboot Is Handling Dogs
In Frasier, a recurring joke centered around the main character's disdain for his father's dog. It was hinted many times throughout the show that Frasier and his brother Niles believed their father placed more love and importance on his dog than on them. Despite Frasier's aversion to dogs, a dog is still present in the follow-up series, although it is not Eddie or related to the previous dogs that portrayed him.
In the new series, Frasier assumes the role of a father figure, adjusting to cohabitating with his grown-up son, Freddie Crane (played by Jack Cutmore-Scott). Similar to his grandfather, Freddie has a furry companion. However, this time, the dog is not Freddie's personal pet but rather works alongside him at the firehouse. Frasier, on the other hand, discovers a new adversary in this dog. At one point in the series, he confidently declares that he will outlast the Dalmatian, just as he outlasted Eddie.
Do you think you can wear me out? Believe me, I have years of experience. I managed to outlast that insignificant person, and I will outlast you.
Including the Dalmatian in the new series is an excellent way to bring back the humor from the original series and pay tribute to Eddie and the dogs that portrayed him in Frasier.
Editor's P/S
As a fan of the iconic show Frasier, I was thrilled to learn the truth behind the beloved canine character, Eddie. It was fascinating to discover that two talented Jack Russell Terriers, Moose and his son Enzo, portrayed the role throughout the show's eleven seasons. The fact that Moose received more fan mail than the rest of the cast during the show's peak popularity is a testament to his exceptional charm and skills.
The decision to introduce a Dalmatian as Frasier's newest rival in the upcoming reboot is an intriguing one. While it may evoke nostalgia for the original series and pay homage to Eddie and the dogs that portrayed him, I am curious to see how this new character will be developed and integrated into the storyline.
Overall, I appreciate the show's decision to honor the memory of Moose and Enzo by acknowledging Eddie's passing in the reboot. It demonstrates the deep affection and respect that the show's creators and fans have for the talented canine performers who brought Eddie to life.