Hercules (bear)
Encyclopedia
Hercules was a trained grizzly bear
from Scotland
who appeared in a number of cameo roles for various television productions, reaching the height of his popularity in the 1980s. He was owned by wrestler Andy Robin and his wife, who originally bought him from a wildlife park in Aviemore
as a baby cub.
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Playing the role of a gentle giant, the bear regularly drew audiences of 15 million viewers on ITV
's World of Sport
programme.
It was this which gave Hercules early success, leading to a number of small acting roles on television.
television commercial on 20 August 1980, on Benbecula
in the Outer Hebrides
, Hercules managed to escape, and went missing for 24 days. In a rescue attempt joined by hundreds of volunteers, search parties looked for Hercules for three days before calling off the search. On 13 September, a crofter spotted the animal swimming; he was shot with a tranquilliser dart, netted and flown by helicopter back to Andy.
The story made Hercules an almost instant celebrity around the world, as the world's media gathered round the cage as the bear was slowly brought back to consciousness. He would go on to secure higher profile roles in films such as the James Bond movie Octopussy
(1983
), in which he shared the screen with Roger Moore
, and a documentary for the animated Disney film Hercules
(1997
), as well as starring in a number of other small film roles, children's documentaries and chat shows.
Hercules eventually died of old age on 4 February 2000.
Grizzly Bear
The grizzly bear , also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear that generally lives in the uplands of western North America...
from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
who appeared in a number of cameo roles for various television productions, reaching the height of his popularity in the 1980s. He was owned by wrestler Andy Robin and his wife, who originally bought him from a wildlife park in Aviemore
Aviemore
Aviemore is a town and tourist resort, situated within the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. It is in the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area, within the Highland council area. The town is popular for skiing and other winter sports, and for hill-walking in the Cairngorm...
as a baby cub.
Early popularity
Hercules first appeared with Andy in his act on the UK wrestling circuitProfessional wrestling in the United Kingdom
Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom spans over 100 years but became popular when the then new Independent Television station - ITV began showing it in 1955 firstly on Saturday afternoons and then also in a late night mid week slot...
in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Playing the role of a gentle giant, the bear regularly drew audiences of 15 million viewers on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's World of Sport
World of Sport (UK TV series)
World of Sport was a British television sport anthology programme which ran on ITV between 2 January 1965 to 28 September 1985 in response to competition from BBC's Grandstand...
programme.
It was this which gave Hercules early success, leading to a number of small acting roles on television.
International stardom
While filming for a AndrexAndrex
Andrex is a British brand of toilet roll. It is a owned by the American company Kimberly-Clark. The "Andrex Puppy", a Labrador Retriever puppy that appears on the company's television adverts, is synonymous with the brand.Sold in the U.S...
television commercial on 20 August 1980, on Benbecula
Benbecula
Benbecula is an island of the Outer Hebrides in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,249, with a sizable percentage of Roman Catholics. It forms part of the area administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar or the Western...
in the Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
, Hercules managed to escape, and went missing for 24 days. In a rescue attempt joined by hundreds of volunteers, search parties looked for Hercules for three days before calling off the search. On 13 September, a crofter spotted the animal swimming; he was shot with a tranquilliser dart, netted and flown by helicopter back to Andy.
The story made Hercules an almost instant celebrity around the world, as the world's media gathered round the cage as the bear was slowly brought back to consciousness. He would go on to secure higher profile roles in films such as the James Bond movie Octopussy
Octopussy
Octopussy is the thirteenth entry in the James Bond series, and the sixth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film's title is taken from a short story in Ian Fleming's 1966 short story collection Octopussy and The Living Daylights...
(1983
1983 in film
-Events:*February 11 - The Rolling Stones concert film Let's Spend the Night Together opens in New York*May 25 - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy, is released. Like the previous films, it goes on to become the top grossing picture of...
), in which he shared the screen with Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Sir Roger George Moore KBE , is an English actor, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. He also portrayed Simon Templar in the long-running British television series The Saint.-Early life:Moore was born in Stockwell, London...
, and a documentary for the animated Disney film Hercules
Hercules (1997 film)
Hercules is a 1997 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The thirty-fifth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker...
(1997
1997 in film
-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
), as well as starring in a number of other small film roles, children's documentaries and chat shows.
Later life
Whilst filming a television advert, the bear fell over and slipped a disc in his back, marking an abrupt end to his career.Hercules eventually died of old age on 4 February 2000.
Trivia
- Hercules was featured on the cover of TimeTime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
and helped to promote the Miss WorldMiss WorldThe Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...
contest. - Hercules caddied for comedian Bob HopeBob HopeBob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
at the Scottish golf course of GleneaglesGleneaglesGleneagles may refer to the following:*Gleneagles, Scotland**The July 2005 G8 Summit held at Gleneagles, Scotland*Gleneagles Agreement*Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder*Gleneagles Hotel, Torquay, the inspiration for Fawlty Towers....
. - Hercules was once named 'Personality of the Year' by the Scottish Tourist Board and received a telegram from Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
.