Why cats are taking over Hollywood

Felines are picking up more starring roles in film, TV and advertising as producers realise they might not be as hard to train as first thought
Keiran Southern
, Los Angeles
The Times
This is a photograph of a beloved movie star — being held by Tom Hanks. Schmagel the cat starred alongside Hanks and Mariana Treviño in 2022’s A Man Called Otto
This is a photograph of a beloved movie star — being held by Tom Hanks. Schmagel the cat starred alongside Hanks and Mariana Treviño in 2022’s A Man Called Otto
DAVE ALLOCCA
Keiran Southern
, Los Angeles
The Times

Since the early days of Hollywood, dogs have taken centre stage, from the silent film stars Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin to the heroic television exploits of Lassie and the performance of Messi in Anatomy of a Fall that was deemed worthy of an invitation to the Oscars.

Cats have struggled to establish the same foothold in the industry — until now.

Felines have landed a series of big roles in Hollywood in recent months, including a Scottish fold who appears in the spy comedy Argylle, a Maine coon with a starring role in Netflix’s Ripley and an orange tabby from the superhero movie The Marvels.

Claudia Schiffer and Chip the cat at the premiere of Argylle
Claudia Schiffer and Chip the cat at the premiere of Argylle
KARWAI TANG/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

Traditionally, producers have been wary of cats as they are considered mercurial and difficult to control, especially