Famous Pets for Famous People: 8 Celebrity Companions

From iconic pets of the past to current animal influencers, these pets have serious star power.

Aug 16, 2024byMaya Keith

famous pets for famous people celebrity companions

 

It’s the twenty-first century, an era where animals can be influencers and have a net worth greater than the GDP of some countries. While some of these stars have had to claw their way to their fame, others are grandfathered in by their celebrity owners.

 

Regardless of how they end up in the spotlight, these famous companions obviously mean the world to their caregivers, and the proof is in their joy.

 

1. Oscar (Hailey and Justin Bieber)

oscar bieber
Image Credit: justinbieber on Instagram

 

Oscar is Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber’s tiny blonde Yorkie who frequents both of their social media pages. He debuted in a 2018 post after the couple received him as a Christmas present and has lived a life of luxury ever since.

 

Oscar even has his own custom Louis Vuitton dog bag with the script “Oscar’s Lovin’ it.” on the side. He’s just as fashion forward as his human companions, sporting matching outfits from time to time and even dressing up for Halloween each year.

 

2. Meredith Gray, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button (Taylor Swift)

taylor swift olivia benson sitting
Image Credit: taylorswift on Instagram

 

Even those who aren’t Swfities know how much the singer-songwriter loves her cats.

 

Taylor Swift got her first Scottish Fold, Meredith Grey, in 2014 and adopted Olivia Benson soon after the same year. Her third and most recent cat companion, Benjamin Button, was lucky enough to be adopted after he was featured in her 2019 “Me!” music video.

 

According to the Economic Times, the cats have a higher net worth than many NFL superstars. While they lack the personhood needed to access the funds they make from photo shoots, magazine covers, and music videos, they have a fantastic, loving guardian in Taylor Swift.

 

3. Noon (Zendaya)

noon coleman
Image Credit: nooncoleman on X

 

Like many others on this list, Noon was gifted to Zendaya as a Christmas present, but has had a lasting impact on her life. The black miniature schnauzer resembles her previous pup, Midnight, who unfortunately passed away in 2017.

 

Zendaya has been up front about some of the challenges of owning Noon, and the two even met with Caesar Milan to discuss some of the fuzzy canine’s less-adorable behaviors. Since then, Noon has traveled the globe with her and is sometimes seen trailing stubbornly behind boyfriend Tom Holland.

 

4. Willow and Forest (Tom Felton)

willow forest tom felton
Image Credit: t22felton on Instagram

 

Draco Malfoy may not have “dog person” vibes, but actor Tom Felton definitely does. One glance at his social media reveals how much he cares about his current fur babies (Labradors Willow (black) and Forest (golden)).

 

Fans are most familiar with Willow, who Felton got spur of the moment when a friend of a friend was returning her to the shelter for her tedious puppy behavior. He intervened before the rescue pup could be returned, and it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

 

5. Kal (Henry Cavill)

kal american akita
Image Credit: henrycavill on Instagram

 

As one might expect, Henry Cavill’s regal companion is named after the Kal-El: Superman.

 

Cavill adopted the American Akita as a puppy back in 2011, and the two have been nearly inseparable since then. Every few pictures on the actor’s Instagram showcase Kal at photoshoots, interviews, and even the gym.

 

American Akitas are strong protectors, and Cavill has referred to Kal as “the guardian of [his] soul”. The fierce fluff ball does an amazing job of keeping the actor grounded, reducing stress and anxiety.

 

6. Mr. Famous and Pippin (Audrey Hepburn)

audrey hepburn mr famous
Audrey Hepburn sits with her Yorkie, Mr. Famous, while in Rome (1958).

 

The darling Audrey Hepburn was an avid animal lover and had many furry companions during her lifetime.

 

Perhaps the most famous is Mr. Famous, a Yorkie who starred in Funny Face and set the trend for Yorkshire Terriers in Hollywood during the 1960s. He would often join her on set and even starred in a scene of the 1957 film Funny Face.

 

Hepburn also had some less traditional pets, including the young fawn she took home from the Green Mansions set after the trainer suggested they bond more off-screen. The fawn Pippin, nicknamed Ip, was a perfect match for Hepburn’s natural calmness and was said to have a cuddly nature.

 

7. Scatter (Elvis Presley)

old print scatter elvis presley
Image Credit: calliegirl326 on Reddit

 

While Hepburn’s companions represented her tranquility, Elvis Presley’s reflected his chaotic side. Like the actress, Presley had a great love for animals and companions like Baba the Collie even appeared in his films.

 

Perhaps the most infamous of his pets was Scatter, a chimpanzee who had a reputation for lifting skirts and other mischief. Scatter spent some time traveling with The King, but eventually had to remain at Graceland because of his riotous behavior.

 

8. Choupette (Karl Lagerfeld)

 

Choupette exhibit
Choupette inspired many of Karl Lagerfeld’s projects

 

German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld loved no one more than his beloved Choupette, a white Birman cat whose name is French for “sweetie.” When Lagerfeld died in 2019, he left his caretaker Françoise Caçote and Choupette a $1.5 million inheritance to ensure the two were set for life.

 

As the most photographed cat in the world and one of the most famous cats in pop culture, Choupette is independently wealthy and has even managed an invite to the Met Gala. Not many famous cats have that distinction! 

 

 

Maya Keith
byMaya Keith

Maya is a lifelong animal lover. While she switched from studying veterinary medicine to English, she continues to help by fostering animals in her community. Her permanent residents include 3 dogs, 2 cats, 5 quail, 19 chickens, and a small colony of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.