The Thing's Dog Became A Sci-Fi Horror Icon — And Had An Incredible Tribute When They Passed

Perhaps the biggest sell, before that nightmarish blood test scene or the sight of a head detaching and scuttling away from its body, in John Carpenter's "The Thing," is believing that all of the skin-raising horror at Outpost 31 starts with a panic-stricken husky trying to outrun a helicopter. After all, what possible danger could a lone dog pose compared to an erratic Norwegian helicopter pilot firing off rounds without warning? And yet, it's thanks to the incredible performance by Jed the wolfdog, that we immediately buy into the first act of the 1982 classic (which still stands as one of Carpenter's best works). Jed lingers and slips through scenes just enough to show that all is not right with this canine that's wandered in from the cold. His presence is partly due to training and partly to his initial animal instincts kicking in, which Carpenter and the cast on set noticed, making him a valued star.

In a documentary for the film, star Richard Masur, who played the dog handler Clark, talked about how if Jed ever felt uneasy, he'd switch to a lupine state, going eerily quiet and giving an intense stare. "He did everything like a wolf," Masur explained. "He would never bark. He never growled." Indeed, Jed was a silent film star of a different kind. Following his appearance in what's rightly remembered as one of the greatest body horror movies ever, Jed would even go on to lead a solid career, achieving a legendary four-legged status right up until his passing in 1995.

The Thing's Jed was the best boy

Thanks to his training by animal trainer Clint Rowe, Jed became more than just a dog on set; he was a well-respected actor who actually created a reputation for himself, making him a sought-after performer. According to Carpenter on the film's commentary, "You could do a dolly shot with him, and he would not look at the camera or the director or the crew." The director continued to praise one of the only cast members he worked with who could scratch behind his ear with his feet, adding, "Amazing work for an animal. He was really, really good."

Jed's career continued into films like Disney's adaptation of "White Fang" — where he starred alongside Ethan Hawke — and its sequel "White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf." Following his passing, a full-page ad was published in Variety (via the Los Angeles Times) commemorating Jed. The memorial wished him well, saying, "Running at the head of the pack. Good luck on your next journey."

In 2021, Hawke also spoke about his late co-star. "This dog had a massive amount of integrity," he told Variety. "If I were to teach acting at Juilliard or one of these fancy schools, I would do a class with an animal." There've certainly been some top-tier pups in the pictures over the years, but Jed was truly the goat when it comes to dog movie stars.

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