For countless years, cats have captured the affection of humans, captivating our hearts with their charm. Our fascination with these adorable creatures has given rise to numerous famous feline personalities. From the iconic Grumpy Cat, embodying the paradox of sour and cute, to the perpetually youthful Lil Bub, join us as we unveil the top 10 most renowned cats that have left their mark in the world of fame.
Ted Nude-Gent – Mr Bigglesworth from Austin Powers
Meet the cat with a name as comical as his on-screen presence! Ted Nude-Gent, famously known as Dr. Evil's hairless Sphynx Cat in the Austin Powers movies, had an interesting dynamic with his owner. Despite belonging to Dr. Evil, Ted was actually a huge fan of Mike Myers, the actor portraying the character. Reportedly, Ted adored Mike so much that he would frequently snooze on his lap, causing delays during filming.
Tardar Sauce – Grumpy Cat
Arguably one of the most iconic cats of all time, Grumpy Cat achieved widespread fame in 2012 when a picture of her grumpy face went viral on Reddit. Initially, many doubted the authenticity of her perpetually grumpy expression, but it turned out to be genuine. Despite her dour appearance, Grumpy Cat's owners revealed that she was a content and happy cat. Afflicted with a form of dwarfism, her lineage traced back to a Calico Short Hair and a grey tabby, although she resembled a Snowshoe or Ragdoll.
Cole and Marmalade – YouTube sensations
Cole and Marmalade, two rescue cats, have a heartwarming tale of rising from humble beginnings to online stardom. Cole, discovered as a 6-week-old kitten by the side of the road, was the first to join the family, followed by Marmalade, an unwanted kitten who found a loving home. Instantly, these two feline friends formed an unbreakable bond, and their delightful adventures have captured the hearts of cat lovers worldwide. With over a million subscribers on YouTube, Cole and Marmalade's entertaining videos never fail to bring a smile to their viewers' faces.
Orangey – Cat from Breakfast at Tiffany’s
If it’s famous cats in movies you’re after, Orangey is your guy. Most famed for his role as ‘Cat’ in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring alongside Audrey Hepburn, Orangey was such a great actor that he won the Patsy award twice.
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.
Interested in finding out about more famous cats throughout history? Learn about some of the most famous Polydactyl kittens throughout history!