Commercials for Bush’s Baked Beans will never be the same. Tuesday, the company took to Facebook to address the passing of Sam the dog, who played mascot “Duke” in commercials.
“While Sam has not worked with us in years, we are saddened by the news of his passing and are grateful to have had him depict Duke,” the company said in a statement. “We continue to be overwhelmed by fan interest and their love of Duke. The relationship between Jay and his beloved dog.”
Sam the dog lived in Apopka with his owner, Susan, who trains animals for commercials. Sadly, she had to euthanize Sam, as he was suffering from aggressive cancer.
Bush’s Baked Beans has used multiple dogs to portray Duke over the years after the real-life Duke had difficulty dealing with the spotlight.