Uggie the Jack Russell, who stole the show in Michel Hazanavicius's Oscar-winning The Artist last year, has officially retired from showbusiness in a ceremony at Hollywood's famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

 

The 10-year-old dog was immortalised alongside stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable as he became the first pooch to leave his prints in the forecourt of the famous cinema. Dressed in a black bow tie, he appeared chipper despite suggestions from his owner in February that a neurological disorder was partly to blame for his Hollywood exit.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Omar von Muller said Uggie would still appear at charity events but had no plans to return to the movies, where he made his name alongside 2012's best actor Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin. "Everybody thinks I am a great trainer," said Von Muller. "I don't think so. I think he is just a great dog."

 

While the perky Jack Russell was banned from the Oscar nominations owing to an academy rule, he did take the coveted Palm Dog gong at Cannes in May 2011 and triumphed in the inaugural Golden Collar awards in LA in February. He also starred in the period drama Water for Elephants in 2011.