Fred, the Basset Hound in “Smokey and the Bandit,” was played by a dog named Fred. In the context of the film, nothing bad happens to Fred; he remains with the Bandit throughout their adventures. However, considering the movie was released in 1977, the actual dog who played Fred has likely passed away due to natural causes given the average lifespan of a Basset Hound.
In “Smokey and the Bandit,” Fred the dog is a laid-back and loyal companion to the Bandit, played by Burt Reynolds. Throughout the film, Fred is involved in the high-speed chase across the Southeastern United States, riding shotgun in the Bandit’s iconic Pontiac Trans Am. The character of Fred adds a touch of humor and warmth to the movie, endearing him to audiences and helping to solidify the film’s status as a classic.
The Basset Hound’s role in the film did not require any extraordinary stunts or dangerous situations, ensuring the animal actor’s safety during production. After the film’s success, Fred became one of the memorable animal sidekicks in cinema, though information about the dog’s life post-production is scarce. Animal actors often return to their trainers or owners and live out their lives away from the spotlight, and it’s likely that Fred did the same. As with many animal actors from that era, specific details about their lives after filming are not well-documented.
