Visiting with Frank Inn - June 26, 1998
Front: Dave, Frank, Benji, Beverly
Frank Inn, trainer of "Dog" on Petticoat Junction,
passed away on Saturday, July 27th, 2002
Obituary
From Modbee.com - AP
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Please consider making a donation to the
American Humane Association in Frank Inn's memory
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Frank Inn's Credits/Awards/Honors
From www.hoosierwoodindiana.com
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Copyright © 1998 The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - October 6, 1998
Benji - that's all of the Benjis - owes a debt of gratitude to Frank Inn.The 82-year-old animal trainer was honored Sunday by the American Humane Association for his rescue of the dog as a pup, and his kindness-and-love approach that inspired a generation of Hollywood trainers.
"I couldn't keep from crying, though I hid it," Inn said later.
Inn rescued the original Benji from the Burbank Animal Shelter in 1960. The pup grew up to star in "Petticoat Junction" and came out of retirement 14 years later to make the first "Benji" movie.
Benji's grandson put his paws in wet cement near the front door when a new shelter was dedicated in Burbank in 1990.
In addition to Benji, Inn trained Arnold the pig on "Green Acres" and Cleo the basset hound on the 1950s Jackie Cooper show "People's Choice."
This story is from the American Humane Association - Film & TV Unit website
TWO PAWS UP!
"Benji" And Animal Trainer Frank Inn Honored By American Humane Association For Championing Shelter Pet Adoption
Beloved animal star "Benji" and veteran animal trainer Frank Inn were honored by the American Humane Association (AHA) as the team that inspired a million shelter pet adoptions and popularized "mutts" as pets. The tribute event kicked off the annual AHA conference, held this year in Anaheim, CA, which brought together hundreds of animal welfare professionals from across the country.
"Frank Inn and 'Benji' have won numerous awards for their work in front of the camera; this tribute recognizes them for their extraordinary contributions off-camera promoting shelter pet adoption, humane animal training, and assisting handicapped individuals and groups," said Gini Barrett, executive director of AHA's Western Regional Office.
Inn rescued the original "Benji" from the Burbank Animal Shelter and coached him for starring roles in the TV series Petticoat Junction and the historic Benji movies. The films, which told the story through the eyes of the dog, sparked worldwide interest in, and adoptions of shelter animals &endash; especially fluffy, mixed-breeds like "Benji." For more than 25 years, Inn and succeeding "Benji"s have been ambassadors for shelter adoption.
The event included the unveiling of a special portrait of "Benji" being donated by the AHA for display at the Burbank Animal Shelter.
Inn's television credits include training the 500 critters on the Beverly Hillbillies, Arnold the pig on Green Acres, Tramp on My Three Sons, as well as animals on I Love Lucy, Ozzie and Harriet, Barnaby Jones, and many more. His film work includes Breakfast At Tiffany's, Bell, Book and Candle, and The Absent Minded Professor. With "Benji," he worked in the film series that included Benji, For The Love of Benji, and Benji the Hunted and several television specials including The Phenomenon of Benji, Benji's Very Own Christmas Story, Benji's Life Story.
Inn has earned over 40 PATSY (Performing Animal Top Star of the Year) Awards from AHA, more than any other trainer. Inn's legacy lives on through many of the today's top trainers, who began their careers as his assistants. One of his most successful protégés, Karl Lewis Miller, the trainer on Babe and the upcoming sequel Babe: Pig in the City, spoke about Inn's influence on his career and on the current generation of trainers. "Frank has passed the humane training baton to a generation of trainers. I am proud to be his colleague and one of his closest friends." "Benji" has earned his own share of honors and was inducted into the Animal Actors Hall of Fame. The second animal to be so honored after Lassie.