The iconic final scene of the 1961 classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, sees the elegant Holly Golightly (played by Audrey Hepburn) release and then frantically chase after her beloved, unnamed cat in the pouring rain. While the sequence is a masterclass in emotional cinema, behind the scenes, it was a logistical nightmare that ultimately illuminated the tender character of its star.
Due to the unpredictable nature of the feline co-star, the crew was forced to employ nine different cats for the single, pivotal scene. Yet, it was Audrey Hepburn’s patient, compassionate dedication to the animals that cemented her reputation as a person of “profound warmth.”
The Uncooperative Star and the Dedicated Diva
The single scene where Holly and the cat are reunited required precision and raw emotion. Under the direction of Blake Edwards, the production struggled with the central animal actor, a seasoned but temperamental cat named Orangey (sometimes credited as “Jimmy” or “Rhubarb”).
- The Data: The pivotal, rain-soaked sequence required nine different cats to complete the various actions and angles.
- Orangey’s Reputation: The principal cat, Orangey, was a prolific animal star who won the PATSY Award (Picture Animal Top Star of the Year) twice—including one for his role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1962). However, he was infamous on set, with one executive famously dubbing him him “the world’s meanest cat” due to his tendency to scratch and bite actors.
- Hepburn’s Dedication: Amidst the chaos and the demanding single-day shoot, witnesses recall Hepburn’s unwavering care. She was reportedly seen patiently playing with, feeding, and even personally drying each of the nine felines between takes, ensuring their comfort and cooperation. Her ability to connect with the animals proved essential in capturing the scene’s authenticity.
Hepburn herself commented on the challenge and the reward of the experience: “Filming with animals is harder than filming with people – but it’s worth every second.”
A Touching Adoption: Cat Becomes ‘Cat’ for Life
The most poignant testament to Hepburn’s character came after the final scene was successfully filmed.
- The Adoption: Hepburn formed such a deep bond with the animal that played Cat—specifically, the veteran Orangey—that she decided to adopt him.
- The Name: In a nod to the film’s central conceit that the cat was only ever referred to as “Cat,” Hepburn kept the name, affectionately calling him “Cat” for the rest of the animal’s natural life. This mirrored the unique, emotional relationship shown on screen.
Expanding the Heart: Hepburn’s Lifelong Bond with Animals
Hepburn’s tenderness toward her animal co-stars was a recurring theme throughout her career, further demonstrating her profound warmth:
- Pippin “Ip” the Fawn: While filming the 1959 movie Green Mansions (directed by her then-husband, Mel Ferrer), Hepburn was encouraged to bond with the baby deer that played her on-screen companion, a fawn named Pippin (or “Ip”). She took the fawn home, and the two became inseparable for a period, with Pippin often accompanying her on outings, including a memorable trip to a Beverly Hills supermarket, showcasing her dedication to authenticity in her role as Rima.
Hepburn’s quiet commitment to the well-being of the nine “uncooperative” cats, and her subsequent adoption of “Cat,” serves as a tender, indelible footnote to her legacy of style and humanitarian work with UNICEF.