6 Animal Film Stars With Tragic Histories

As the intelligent German shepherd Jerry Lee in K-9, Koton matched wits with his hesitant partner Dooley (Jim Belushi). Time would prove that Koton would match the mettle of the canine on the film marquee too. Like his character, Koton fell in the line of duty, and was shot and killed in a way that eerily resembled the film's ending.

The comedy's crew plucked an authentic police dog from the Kansas City Police Department for Jerry Lee. Koton possessed a stellar record, aiding in twenty-four arrests and the recovery of over a million dollars worth of cocaine. Koton learned English for the role after being trained in German, and was so well-behaved that the crew had to coax him to be the rambunctious Jerry Lee.

Dozens of dogs portrayed Jerry Lee but Koton's background makes him stand out, especially in light of his painful passing. Two years after the film's release, Koton died in pursuit of a suspect wanted for the murder of a police officer. Jerry Lee survived his bullet wound from a suspect in K-9 but the real-life shot was fatal for Koton. Before his death, Koton, sometimes referred to as Rando, was part of the short-lived television series based on the motion picture but his brief life terminated any other prospects.

Jerry Lee's heroic and hilarious efforts inspire audiences to chuckle decades later. While the jokes remain in place, the legitimate heroism Koton displayed should stay with them as well.