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Air Bud Creator Dies After Homelessness Battle
25 Mar
Summary
- Kevin DiCicco, creator of the Air Bud franchise, has died at 63.
- He recently revealed he was homeless and battling serious health issues.
- DiCicco trained Buddy, the dog who starred in the original Air Bud film.
Kevin DiCicco, the visionary behind the 'Air Bud' film series, has died at the age of 63 in San Diego. His death occurred on Saturday, March 21, shortly after he had been on hospice care. DiCicco had revealed in late 2024 that he was experiencing homelessness and battling severe health issues. He had been diagnosed with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which he attributed to marijuana use. Earlier in March 2026, he was hospitalized for severe pneumonia, undergoing various treatments.
DiCicco's journey to Hollywood fame began when he discovered a stray dog near Yosemite, whom he named Buddy. He trained Buddy in various sports, leading to appearances on 'America's Funniest Home Videos' and 'Late Night With David Letterman.' This exposure paved the way for Buddy to star in the 1997 film 'Air Bud,' which spawned a successful franchise.
Buddy passed away in late 1998 at the age of nine due to cancer complications. DiCicco, who had 11 credits for his work on the franchise, disclosed his homelessness in November 2024, expressing fear about his situation while managing his health battles. He had been residing in a San Diego shelter but faced displacement.
