Beloved Chihuahua from Legally Blonde — The Musical Dies: 'He Will Live on in Our Hearts'

Chico, the adorable Chihuahua from Legally Blonde — The Musical has died.

Chico’s owner William Berloni, famously known as Broadway’s leading animal trainer, announced the sad news on Instagram Thursday, revealing that Chico died on Monday. He was 14.

For the entire 2007-08 run of the play, Chico played Bruiser, Elle Woods’ tiny pup.

When it’s duration on Broadway ended, Chico continued touring for more than a decade, acting in regional productions all over the world.

The pooch retired two years ago.

Chico got his big break after being shown to Berloni at the Associated Humane Society in Newark, NJ, Berloni’s Instagram post explained.

“Chico had been severely abused and was actually slated for euthanasia. He ‘spoke’ to Bill that day, however, and despite everyone at the shelter telling him he was the absolute wrong choice, Bill took him… if nothing else to find him the perfect home.”

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On Monday, March 11th, our beloved Chico crossed the rainbow bridge. His journey to the Palace Theater, where he originated the role of Bruiser Woods in LEGALLY BLONDE – THE MUSICAL, began at the Associated Humane Society in Newark, NJ when he was mistakenly shown to Bill. Chico had been severely abused and was actually slated for euthanasia. He "spoke" to Bill that day, however, and despite everyone at the shelter telling him he was the absolute wrong choice, Bill took him…if nothing else to find him the perfect forever home. Destiny intervened at a press event for LEGALLY BLONDE when the show's director, Jerry Mitchell, fell in love with our little chihuaha and declared “This is our Bruiser!" Original cast members Laura Bell Bundy, Annaleigh Ashford, and Christian Borle worked patiently to help Chico overcome his fears, learn to trust again, and become the first dog ever trusted to open a Broadway show and deliver crucial exposition to Margot and the Delta Nus on the whereabouts of his pink princess Elle Woods. He was a true star and the show literally couldn’t go on without his talents! Chico went on to do the entire Broadway run of LEGALLY BLONDE, followed by the national tour and numerous regional productions before retiring two years ago. Chico often travelled with Bill to do talks and training demonstrations, and starred in an episode of FROM WAGS TO RICHES WITH BILL BERLONI affectionately titled “Bad Chico.” He can be seen on the MTV live taping of his signature show, followed by their reality show THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT ELLE WOODS. He will live on in our hearts and as LEGALLY BLONDE – THE MUSICAL's official logo. Donations in Chico’s name can be made to THE SANDY FUND at the Humane Society of New York, 306 East 59th Street, NY NY 10022. THE SANDY FUND is an endowment fund to benefit homeless animals created by Bill and Dorothy Berloni in honor of their first canine Broadway star “Sandy,” the rescue dog that originated the role of Sandy in the musical ANNIE.

A post shared by William Berloni (@berlonitheatricalanimals) on Mar 13, 2019 at 6:39am PDT

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However, the post says that’s when “Destiny intervened at a press event for Legally Blonde when the show’s director, Jerry Mitchell, fell in love with our little Chihuahua and declared ‘This is our Bruiser!'”

“Chico went on to do the entire Broadway run of Legally Blonde, followed by the national tour and numerous regional productions before retiring two years ago,” the post read.

Aside from Chico’s life on Broadway, the pup also traveled with Berloni “to do talks and training demonstrations.”

He also starred in an episode of From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni — a reality show about rescue animals trained for the entertainment industry.

“He will live on in our hears and as Legally Blonde — The Musical‘s official logo.”

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The post also states that donation’s in Chico’s name can be made to The Sandy Fund at the Humane Society of New York.

Chico’s death comes after Moonie — the dog, who played Bruiser in Legally Blonde the movie starring Reese Witherspoon, died in 2016.

“He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved,” Witherspoon said in an Instagram post. “I will never forget all the days we spent together … I’m sure his tail is wagging in the sky.”

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