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. 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.
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
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.
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.
Death
Tommy died in his trailer on June 25, 1949. 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. 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.
References
- ^ a b Cosgrove, Ben. "A Squirrel's Guide to Fashion". TIME.com. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Tommy Tucker, Washington's most famous squirrel". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
- ^ "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.