¡Yo quiero Taco Bell! pup passes away at age 15

As a supporter of LA branch New Lease On Life (NLOL), Sue Chipperton has graced our pages here before for dog lovin’ reasons. Last year she was a photo finalist for this shot of her dog Jackson in a national competition and came oh-so-close to winning.

Chipperton has had an exciting history in Hollywood as an animal trainer/wrangler, and one of her most recognizable studies has passed away. Gidget, the Taco Bell dog suffered a stroke and died at age 15.

Gidget lived a comfortable life, and had not only won over the world with her cries of “¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!” (where she played a he), but also had appearances in a 2002 GEICO gecko commercials, and in 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde, as Bruiser’s mom.

According to Chipperton, Gidget enjoyed going on hikes and relaxing under the sun. She’d happily sleep “for 23 hours and 45 minutes a day” or “lay outside when it’s 105 degrees,” she said.

But when it was go-time on set, Gidget came alive. “One time, I kid you not, she actually pushed her stand-in out of the way because he was still there when she arrived on set,” Chipperton recalled. “Gidget always knew where the camera was.”

RIP Gidget! Just last week my son opened up the Taco Bell Dog w/rose that I’ve kept in the plastic bag for all of these years! Enjoy one of the many commercials.