Taco Bell Chihuahua "Gidget" Dies At Age 15
Surely everyone remembers the talking Taco Bell dog. I wonder how many said "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" every time a chihuahua walked by back in the 90's? I think the Taco Bell dog played a huge part in why there are so many chihuahua dog owners today. NOT Paris Hilton, despite what she thinks.
The voice of the Taco Bell dog was done by Carlos Alazraqui who now plays Garcia on Reno 911. What most people don't know is that the Taco Bell dog, was it actually was a girl chihuahua named Gidget that also starred as "Bruiser" in Legally Blonde 2.
Sadly, Gidget just passed away at the ripe old age of 15. She had a full life to say the least and her retirement found her sitting pretty and leading a very pampered existence — and Gidget had quite the following. Taco Bell sold talking stuffed animals that said "Viva Gorditas" and there were key chains and talking figurines that said "Yo Quiero Taco Bell". One trip to Ebay and you can see that these items are still selling today. Perhaps there will be a new demand for these "collectables" since Gidget's death, including a Legally Blond 2 stuffed animal with a purse complete with different outfits for the dog to change into. Needless to say Gidget will go down in history along with Lassie, Spuds McKenzie,and Rin Tin Tin as a famous pup.
The LA Times reported:
The owner of Studio Animal Services in Castaic says Gidget suffered a massive stroke late Tuesday at her trainer's home in Santa Clarita and had to be euthanized.Gidget was the sassy mascot in Taco Bell commercials from 1997 to 2000. While other dogs had bit parts, it was her bug-eyed, big-eared face that was seen pronouncing "Yo quiero Taco Bell," Spanish for "I want Taco Bell," in a male voice dubbed by Argentine actor Carlos Alazraqui. A few years later, Alazraqui landed the role for which he is best known: Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central's "Reno 911!"
The Taco Bell ads provoked some criticism from activists who said they used Mexican stereotypes.Gidget also had a role in the movie "Legally Blonde 2," but others associated with the ad campaign weren't so lucky. Earlier this year, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the creators of the Chihuahua character hadn't been properly compensated for their work, and Taco Bell was ordered to pay $42 million.
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