Meet Orangey, the award-winning cat who stole the limelight
Radhika Nair | TimesPets Bureau | Feb 12, 2026, 20:44 IST
Orangey
Active during the 1950s and early 1960s, Orangey became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after animal performers. Trained by renowned animal handler Frank Inn, the talented feline was known for his strong screen presence and ability to deliver consistent performances under studio lights — no small feat for a cat. Though reportedly temperamental off-camera, Orangey’s on-screen charisma made him a director’s favorite.
'I wish my career was as good as Orangey's.' At least one Hollywood celebrity would have thought of this in their struggling career. When humans were struggling to find their space in the cine space, there was this one cat in Hollywood who has won not just attention but also some great roles and prestigious awards too. So, who is that? Let's check out some details on Orangey.
Orangey, an orange tabby, the animal actor, was one of the inevitable cast in most of the movies in the past. From 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Rhubarb, the adorable cat has gained attention many a time. In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Orangey had a very significant role, just like the main protagonist. Draped across Hepburn’s apartment, yowling in protest, or trotting through rain-slicked streets in the film’s emotional climax, Orangey’s presence was more than decorative. The cat was indeed a symbolization of the protagonist's resistance to attachments too. Even the climax of Holly releasing him to the New York alley is still fresh in the mind of every movie lover.
Not just in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Orangey's role in Rhubarb was also celebrated all along. The comedy movie revolved around the life of a cat, who has inherited the fortune of a millionaire. Even when human co-stars were there on the same set, in many scenes Orangey could just grab the spotlight with ease. It was with this performance that Orangey had won the first Patsy Award, the prestigious award often said to be the Oscar for animal stars.
Interestingly, Orangey didn't stick to one genre; he was surprising all with the versatility in the roles too. He appeared in the western Stranger on Horseback, lounging casually in a lawman’s office, and in the horror-comedy The Comedy of Terrors, sharing screen space with legends like Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, and Peter Lorre.
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Tiffany's dearest mate
Orangey, an orange tabby, the animal actor, was one of the inevitable cast in most of the movies in the past. From 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Rhubarb, the adorable cat has gained attention many a time. In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Orangey had a very significant role, just like the main protagonist. Draped across Hepburn’s apartment, yowling in protest, or trotting through rain-slicked streets in the film’s emotional climax, Orangey’s presence was more than decorative. The cat was indeed a symbolization of the protagonist's resistance to attachments too. Even the climax of Holly releasing him to the New York alley is still fresh in the mind of every movie lover.
The millionaire cat
Not just in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Orangey's role in Rhubarb was also celebrated all along. The comedy movie revolved around the life of a cat, who has inherited the fortune of a millionaire. Even when human co-stars were there on the same set, in many scenes Orangey could just grab the spotlight with ease. It was with this performance that Orangey had won the first Patsy Award, the prestigious award often said to be the Oscar for animal stars.
The versatile one
Interestingly, Orangey didn't stick to one genre; he was surprising all with the versatility in the roles too. He appeared in the western Stranger on Horseback, lounging casually in a lawman’s office, and in the horror-comedy The Comedy of Terrors, sharing screen space with legends like Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, and Peter Lorre.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!