Cats have captivated the hearts of humans for many years, we’re obsessed with these fluffy critters and this kitty love has seen many famous cats crop up. From Grumpy Cat – the living oxymoron, to Lil Bub the perma-kitten, find out who made our list of the top 10 most famous cats.
There’s just something about cats, isn’t there? Their magical toe beans and saucer-like eyes have captivated humans across the globe throughout history and we just can’t get enough of them. Cute cats fill our screens and this, combined with our obsession with their adorable fluffy faces, has seen the rise of famous cats.
From Instagram influencers that have us tapping the like button to famous cats in movies that are more worthy of an Oscar than most celebs, these kitties are the star of every show.
Ted Nude-Gent – Mr Bigglesworth from Austin Powers
This cat’s name is almost as funny as his film appearance! Known as Dr. Evil’s hairless Sphynx Cat from the Austin Powers movies, this famous cat was apparently a big fan of Mike Myers, despite his owner being his arch nemesis in the series. It’s been reported that Ted loved Mike so much, that he would spend all of his time sleeping on his lap – which apparently delayed shooting many a time.
Tardar Sauce – Grumpy Cat
Grumpy Cat is quite possibly one of the most famous cats in history. She rose to fame in 2012 after a post of her face went viral on Reddit – at first, no-one believed her face hadn’t been altered but in truth her grumpy markings were real. And soon everyone fell in love. According to her owners she was a very happy cat (despite the expression) with a type of dwarfism, and although she looked like a Snowshoe or Ragdoll, her parents were a Calico Short Hair and a grey tabby!
Cole and Marmalade – YouTube sensations
Rescue cats Cole and Marmalade are a true rags-to-riches story. Cole came first and was found at the side of the road as a 6-week-old kitten, then Marmalade joined the family a little later as an unwanted kitten. As soon as the pair met, they became the best of friends and now these famous cats are YouTube stars. With over a million subscribers, their amusing videos are perfect for cat lovers who want an excuse to smile.
Lil Bub – the perma-kitten
Everyone’s heard of this adorable famous cat. She had a permanent kitten-like appearance which was due to a variety of genetic mutations, including teeth that never grew (which is why her tongue hung out of her mouth) and a type of dwarfism. Additionally, she also had a rare bone disorder known as Osteopetrosis and Lil Bub was the only cat in history known to be born with this. Thanks to her online fame, her owners were able to raise funds to help with her treatment, but sadly she passed away in December, 2019.
He also appeared in various other films and TV shows including The Diary of Anne Frank, The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Beverly Hillbillies. Despite this, he was considered one of the meanest acting cats in history and would bite and scratch his human co-stars. His work ethic wasn’t always the strongest either and was known to run away when he didn’t feel like acting – filming would have to stop until he could be found again.
A Street Cat Named Bob
Bob is a famous cat with quite possibly one of the most heart-warming stories. This cute ginger tabby quite literally turned his owner’s life around. James Bowen was a former drug addict and homeless man. But when Bob strolled into his home with an infected leg wound and chirpy personality, he gave James a new reason to live and the pair became inseparable. So much so, that Bob would join him whilst he busked throughout London, gaining the attention of both tourists and locals alike. The pair’s story is so captivating that it’s been turned into a book and then a film adaptation – in which Bob starred as himself.
Hamilton the Hipster Cat
Hamilton the Hipster Cat has a very identifiable feature adorning his face – an eccentric looking moustache. Adopted from the Humane Society, Hamilton was originally found in feral colony and was a very skittish and anxious cat. But when his owner went to meet him, it was love at first sight and the pair shared an instant connection. It took a while for him to get settled into his new life, but now he’s a happy and playful cat and an Instagram sensation to boot.
Mrs. Norris – The Magical Maine Coon(s)
When it comes to famous cats in movies, Mrs. Norris is one of the most well-known. Starring in the Harry Potter series, the role was played by four different Maine Coons (three of which were rescued), all handpicked for their skillsets.
Alanis was used for most of the holding scenes as she was good at staying still; Pebbles walked the hallways as he was trained to walk and stop at a particular spot; Maximus was trained to jump up onto Mr. Filch’s shoulders and Cornilus would sit still and look around on command. Who said you can’t teach a cat tricks?
Mr. Jinx – The toilet-using cat from Meet the Parents
As it usually is with famous cats in movies, Mr. Jinx was played by several different cats. The Himalayans used to play the parts have earned their name as one of the most comedic cats in cinematic history, and if you’ve seen Meet the Parents, you’ll know why. Mr. Jinx uses the toilet, waves and performs numerous tricks throughout the film and each cat used had their own particular skillset. Apparently, the trainer still owns two of Mr. Jinx’s portrayers and they’re called Peanut and Charlie.
Nala – The world’s most followed cat
This cross-eyed cutie is one of the most famous cats on the internet. Currently the Guinness World Record Holder for the most followers for a cat on Instagram, the Siamese/tabby mix has over 4 million fans and her own range of merchandise to boot. It wasn’t always plain sailing for Nala though – before she was one of the best loved cats in the world, she was a sickly shelter cat. With the right medicine and a little care, Nala grew up to be a healthy and lovable cat and is now cherished by millions.
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