Father Orthoduck wishes to communicate the sad news that Gidget the Chihuahua, star of several Taco Bell commercials in the 1990’s has left us at the age of 15 after a massive stroke. News of the passing of Gidget was released yesterday evening through the Associated Press. News of the passing of Gidget rapidly spread through our mammalian community and has brought sadness to dogs and ducks alike. The news release read in part:
Although she was hard of hearing, Gidget was otherwise in good health up to the day of her death, eating well and playing with her favorite squeaky toys at the home of trainer Sue Chipperton, McElhatton said.
“She was retired. She lived like a queen, very pampered,” McElhatton said.
Gidget was found at a kennel and wasn’t show quality, McElhatton said; she had an undershot jaw and huge ears.
But Gidget knew she was a star, McElhatton said.
“She was a prima donna, basically. She absolutely knew when she was on camera,” McElhatton said.
In a 1997 Taco Bell television commercial, Gidget was seen as a male dog who, through the magic of special effects and a voice actor, proclaims in a richly accented voice: “Yo quiero Taco Bell” – Spanish for “I want Taco Bell.”
Viewers were charmed. What was supposed to be a single ad became a campaign that ran from 1997 to 2000.
Her life was dogged by controversy as some activists insisted that the commercials promoted Hispanic stereotypes. Nevertheless, she persevered and was eventually the animal star on Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, as the co-actress of Reese Witherspoon. All of us animals thought that she had stolen scene after scene from Ms. Witherspoon. The animal community, especially the Latino animal community deeply mourns her passing.
Our son, Corey, works at Taco Bell, and we love Taco Bell. And I loved those commercials and I love Latin America and….thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Our family just watched “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” yesterday. Marginally on-topic, I know.
Father Orthoduck thinks it is on topic. After all, Gidget opened the doors for other chihuahuas to make it into the movies. After all, before Gidget, we had had many collies and rottweilers and poodles, etc., but Gidget was the first of the chihuahuas to become truly famous.