This 68-kilogram dog is starring in a movie with Naomi Watts | Pets-animals News

Hollywood has a new star, and he’s got four legs, floppy ears, and a heart as big as his 150-pound frame. Bing, the Great Dane, is making waves as the lead canine in The Friend, a film starring Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. While Watts is an Academy Award-nominated actress, she admitted on Good Morning America that Bing was her “most cooperative co-star”—and the audience is about to see why.
Bing’s big Hollywood break
Bing’s journey from beloved show dog to movie star is nothing short of incredible. The 7-year-old Great Dane is owned and trained Bev Klingensmith of Newton, Iowa, who has spent years breeding, training, and competing with Great Danes. But starring in a major motion picture? That was something she never expected.

In 2019, Klingensmith received an email about casting a Great Dane for a movie, but she dismissed it as a scam.
“If you asked me before I became involved in it, I would’ve said it’s not a realic thing at all,” she admitted in an interview with American Kennel Club.
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However, the opportunity turned out to be real, and soon, Bing was on his way to New York City to begin filming alongside Naomi Watts and Bill Murray.
On set: Bing’s unmatched discipline and charm
Bing quickly proved to be a natural in front of the camera. His training in obedience competitions helped him remain calm under pressure, even with the chaos of a film set around him.
Naomi Watts, who spent weeks training with Bing before filming, had nothing but praise for her four-legged co-star:
“He was the most cooperative co-star in every possible way,” Watts said on Good Morning America. “Look at those ears, they hear everything. He’s on alert all day. He knows behaviors. He is sensitive to what’s going on, and that makes him a really good screen partner.”Story continues below this ad
Filming on the busy streets of New York City posed a challenge, but Bing handled it like a pro. Dractions, loud noises, and crowds didn’t faze him—he remained focused, obedient, and in character.
Based on Sigrid Nunez’s bestselling novel, The Friend tells the story of Iris (played Watts), a writer and teacher who unexpectedly inherits a massive Great Dane after her closest friend (played Bill Murray) passes away. The film explores grief, healing, and the deep connection between humans and dogs.

Bing on the red carpet
When it was time for the New York City premiere of The Friend, Bing stole the show once again.
Naomi Watts arrived in a white dress with black spots from Jacquemus, a deliberate nod to her four-legged co-star. She proudly posed with Bing on the red carpet.
Though Bing is now on billboards and movie posters across the country, he remains, at heart, a well-trained, well-loved companion.Story continues below this ad
“I’m excited that the world gets to see this,” Klingensmith said in her interview. “A well-bred dog, understanding temperament and genetics, and early training—it all paid off in a million ways.”