Dog trainer and entrepreneur Kevin DiCicco, best known as the owner of the Air Bud franchise canine hero Buddy, died in hospice care in San Diego, California, on March 21. He was 63.
His brother, Mark, confirmed the news to TMZ. While the official cause of death remains undisclosed, DiCicco revealed in a 2024 interview that he battled with COPD.
His demise comes nearly three decades after he lost Buddy, the stray golden retriever he rescued near his Sierra Nevada cabin in Yosemite, California, in 1989, who went on to become the inspiration behind Disney’s Air Bud movies. Buddy died of synovial cell sarcoma (a form of cancer) in February 1998, at the age of 9.
Besides being Buddy’s owner, Kevin DiCicco was also a property manager, but lost his job during the COVID-19 layoffs.
Subsequently, he became clinically depressed, used medical marijuana to help himself, but developed COPD as a side effect, and had to often use an oxygen concentrator to breathe. Additionally, Kevin was also struggling with homelessness.
All you need to know about Kevin DiCicco’s canine friend Buddy
Kevin DiCicco adopted Buddy and trained him to play tricks and learn sports, including basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. The pet and his owner made their screen debut on America’s Funniest Home Videos in the early 1990s, followed by Full House.
Their most famous appearance on Late Night host David Letterman’s edition of “Stupid Pet Tricks.” Other credits include NBA halftime shows, Big Dog clothing commercials, and marketing stunts for Pedigree.
In 2024, Kevin DiCicco spoke fondly about Buddy during a sit-down with NBC News:
“My obsession with sport, and his obsession with ball playing, the combination of the two, created this tremendous canine athlete.”
Kevin DiCicco launched Air Bud Productions and collaborated with independent producer Keystone Entertainment to develop Buddy and his story into a movie. The first film of the long-running franchise was called Air Bud and was released in August 1997.
It was directed by Charles Martin Smith, who cast Buddy in the lead role. The plot revolved around the golden retriever, portrayed as a circus dog, who escaped the clutches of his cruel master (played by Michael Jeter) and had a chance encounter with Josh Framm (played by Kevin Zegers), in turn helping him to win his interschool basketball championship.
The movie, although independently produced, was distributed by the Miramax label, owned by Disney. It made $23-27 million at the box office on a $3 million budget. The immense success of the movie later inspired a dozen more movies, including the 1998 sequel, Air Bud: Golden Retriever, and other titles such as Air Buddies and Super Buddies (2012).
Buddy only appeared in the debut movie and was nominated in the Favorite Animal Star category at the 1998 Kids’ Choice Awards. However, despite his contribution and his owner’s creative inputs (received 11 credits), Kevin DiCicco was reportedly “never” compensated properly, according to his 2024 TMZ interview.
That same year, he told Fox 5 San Diego:
“They are so cleverly crafted to make sure that these films don’t really ever receive the big money. That’s why we now find ourselves in a position where, instead of enjoying those twilight years and sliding into retirement, we’re almost having to start over.”
The dog trainer also showed gratitude about running into fans of his and Buddy, who have watched the Air Bud movie numerous times but still “enjoyed” rewatching it from time to time.
Kevin DiCicco doubled down on his sentiments while speaking to NBC News:
“With pretty much nothing in your pocket and in a dire situation is exactly what happened. I think the worst part of it… is the severe clinical depression that goes along with it… It means a lot that some of our fans are coming back to support us.”
Immediately after the first film’s release, Buddy was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo an amputation of his right rear leg. He underwent chemotherapy but soon suffered a seizure after the illness spread to his brain, eyes, and lungs. The dog succumbed a few months later.
His ashes were spread on the Pacific Beach in San Diego and established the Buddy Farm (he no longer owns it) in his memory.
Buddy left behind three puppies, who were trained and cared for by DiCicco, and later made appearances in other Air Bud films. While these kept him going for a while, along with his property management job, Kevin soon lost it all and declared bankruptcy, which in turn led to respiratory and mental health issues.
He jokingly told NBC News two Novembers ago that his riches (Hollywood) to rags (homelessness) would make a good big-screen comeback as it had all the “elements.” Additionally, Kevin expressed his wish to develop a sports training app for dogs.
In 2024, he launched a GoFundMe to help him with his housing crisis and medical expenses. Last year, he developed severe pneumonia and was hospitalized for weeks.
Earlier this month (March 14), a similar fundraiser was started after his “breathing started acting up again” and he “picked up another virus.” However, he was trying to get the necessary treatment, comprising tests and antibiotics.
Kevin DiCicco thanked everyone for their support during the “difficult times” in the recent GoFundMe description.
Another instalment in the franchise, titled Air Bud Returns, was announced in 2025. Further details are awaited.
Edited by Pallavi K