Kevin DiCicco, the man credited with creating the original “Air Bud” concept, has died at 63, TMZ reports. His brother Mark told TMZ that DiCicco passed away Saturday after spending some time in hospice in San Diego, California.
Origins of “Air Bud”
DiCicco found Buddy, the dog who would later star as the athletic canine in the “Air Bud” franchise, near his Yosemite cabin in 1989 and brought him back to San Diego. He taught Buddy a series of sports-related tricks and later submitted footage to “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” A producer for David Letterman saw the tape and booked DiCicco and Buddy on the late-night program.
Buddy went on to appear in the original “Air Bud” film in 1997. DiCicco received a creator credit for the project; he told reporters in 2024 that the credit did not translate into a significant payday. Buddy died in 1998.
Health struggles and later years
According to the report, DiCicco had fallen on hard times in recent years. He spent time in a San Diego shelter until a 90-day limit lapsed and, last year, was hospitalized while battling severe pneumonia. Family members and sources told TMZ that DiCicco had been a heavy smoker and developed advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Mark DiCicco told TMZ his brother spent time in hospice before his death. The family confirmed DiCicco was 63.
Legacy
DiCicco’s discovery and training of Buddy led to a widely recognized family film and a long-running franchise that introduced an athletic, performing dog to mainstream audiences. While DiCicco later spoke about the limited financial returns from the project, his role in bringing Buddy and the original concept to public attention is a lasting part of his legacy.
Image Referance: https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/24/kevin-dicicco-dead/