Benji is the name of a fictitious dog who was the focus of several movies in the 1970s and 1980s. His character was a lovable mutt who had an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, usually helping a person overcome a problem. Perhaps not as dashing as Lassie (another dog movie star), Benji was shown to have been just as smart.

The first movie, called Benji, was filmed in the Dallas, Texas area and was released in 1974. The last Benji movie was released in 1987, but a new movie is set to be released in 2004.

The dog who first played Benji (whose real name was Higgins) also had a role in the TV show Petticoat Junction in the mid 1960s. As with Lassie, Higgins' progeny have replaced him in later movies; dogs do not have forty-year lifespans.

A 1980s TV show titled Here's Boomer featured an acting dog that was a lot like Benji.

Benji Movies

• 1974, Benji
• 1977, For the Love of Benji
• 1978, Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (TV movie)
• 1980, Oh Heavenly Dog
• 1980, Benji at Work (TV movie)
• 1981, Benji Takes a Dive at Marineland (TV movie)
• 1983, Benji, Zax and the Alien Prince (TV series)
• 1987, Benji the Hunted
• 2004, Benji Returns: Rags to Riches

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Benji is short for the name "Benjamin." Some boys who are named Benjamin go by the nickname "Benji" or "Benjy."