'Frasier' Pooch Dies In L.A.

The scrappy dog who played Eddie on TV's "Frasier" has died.

The 16-year-old Jack Russell terrier, whose real name was Moose, passed away of old age Thursday at the Los Angeles home of TV and movie dog trainer Mathilde De Cagny Halberg, Halberg told People magazine.

The canine character Eddie, a one-man dog loyal to feisty retired cop Martin Crane, was a constant irritant to his pretentious psychiatrist son, played by Kelsey Grammer, throughout the long run of the hit sitcom.

It wasn't all acting on Moose's part, though. He was naturally "extremely mischievous," Halberg told People, recalling that long ago day when she rescued him from owners at wit's end on how to handle his many escapades. "He just had an incredible charisma and was a such a free spirit."

Moose's contribution to the sitcom's and Grammer's success was publicly noted by the actor when he accepted a 1994 Emmy for best actor in a comedy.

"Most important, Moose, this is for you," said Grammer, whose character typically derided the importance of the pooch but in one episode, at wit's end, finally poured out his troubles to Eddie, reaping both relief and comic complications.

In addition to his TV work, Moose will also be remembered by movie buffs for the 2000 film "My Dog Skip," starring Frankie Muniz, Diane Lane and Kevin Bacon. According to imdb.com, he shared the role with his son, Enzo, each playing the movie canine in a different stage of his life.

The web site says that's not the only sharing the two dogs did - towards the end of "Frasier," Enzo was reportedly brought in for the more athletic stunts, and later took over the role from Moose when the older dog retired.