Tommy Tucker (squirrel)
 | |
| Species | Eastern gray squirrel |
|---|---|
| Sex | male |
| Died | June 25, 1949 |
| Resting place | Prince George's Country lawyer's office |
| Years active | 1943 - 1949 |
| Known for | selling war bonds |
Tommy Tucker was an Eastern gray squirrel in the United States. Adopted in 1942 by Zaidee Bullis and her husband Mark C. Bullis, Tommy became a celebrity and toured the country to perform tricks in women's fashions, selling war bonds and entertaining small children.[1] A Washington Post columnist noted him as "the most famous squirrel ever to come from Washington."[2]
Personal life
While origin stories differ, Tommy was adopted by Zaidee in 1942. He may have been named after the 18th century nursery rhyme "Little Tommy Tucker."[2] Zaidee chose to dress Tommy exclusively in women's clothing to circumvent tailoring around his bushy tail.[2]
Following World War II he married a squirrel named Buzzy, of which little is known.[2]
Career
In 1943, Zaidee and Mark began taking Tommy on tour in their Packard Touring Car.[2] Tommy's lovingly crafted patriotic attire and unusually docile demeanor charmed the nation; one of his earliest shows included a performance for 500 students at Silver Spring's Woodside Elementary School.[2]
Accompanying the three on their adventures was a bulldog, who purportedly had at least one gold tooth and commonly wore a fez.[3]
Selling war bonds
One of Tommy's greatest achievements in war bond sales was his purported radio interview alongside Franklin Delano Roosevelt.[2]
In 1944 the squirrel was featured in Life magazine, complete with a gallery of photos by Nina Leen.[1] In the article, a reporter notes that “Mrs. Bullis’ main interest in Tommy ... is in dressing him up in 30 specially made costumes. Tommy has a coat and hat for going to market, a silk pleated dress for company, a Red Cross uniform for visiting the hospital.”[4]
At the height of his fame in 1945, Tommy's fanclub, the Tommy Tucker Club, had over 30,000 members.[2]
Life after World War II
After the war, Tommy spent more time investing in his personal life: Headlines featuring the squirrel largely disappeared until January 1948, where the Bullises were denied entry to California, as agricultural officials wouldn't recognize Tommy as a pet (rather than a wild animal) for several days.[2] He was also barred from visiting Mexico.[2]
Death
Tommy died in his trailer on June 25, 1949.[3] Journalist Harold Bryant said his cause of death was “apparently of a heart attack brought on by old age.”[2] The average lifespan of Eastern gray squirrels in captivity is about 20 years.
His taxidermied body is currently on display in a plastic case at a law office in Prince George's County.[3] He was stuffed at Jonas Bros. Taxidermy in Denver, Colorado, where one taxidermist said "he was mounted with his arms out so you could pull the clothes over him."[2]
Zaidee aimed to have Tommy's remains donated to the Smithsonian, but their curators never took a significant interest.[3]
References
- ^ a b Cosgrove, Ben. "A Squirrel's Guide to Fashion". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Tommy Tucker, Washington's most famous squirrel". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ a b c d "Tommy Tucker: Eternity's satin doll of a squirrel is at last located". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "LIFE". LIFE. January 31, 1944. Retrieved October 2, 2016 – via books.google.com.