On Jan. 7, 1980, Auburn was visited by a famous four-legged actor: Benjean, also known as Benji. According to the Jan. 8, 1980, Auburn Journal, “…although the celebrity didn’t have much to say, his trainer, Frank Inn, discussed Benji’s world travels. Besides starring in two movies and a television series, Benji has visited countries throughout the world and has two television specials coming up this spring.”
Benjean replaced her father, Higgins, who portrayed Benji in the 1974 film “Benji.” When he got too old to perform in the mid-1970s. Benjean starred in three movies: “For the Love of Benji,” “Oh! Heavenly Dog,” and “Benji the Hunted.” Benjean also starred in four television specials and a short-lived Hanna-Barbera series, “Benji, Zax and the Alien Prince.”
The family-friendly film series was popular in the 1970s and 80s. There were two attempts to revive the franchise in 2004 and 2018, but each bombed at the box office. Both Benjean and Higgins were mixed-breed dogs.
Photo: Benjean, c. 1979
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