05/25/2025
Tom Hanks had never worked with a co-star like this before. In the 1989 action-comedy "Turner & H***h," he played fastidious detective Scott Turner, whose world spirals into chaos after inheriting a large, slobbery French Mastiff named H***h. The unlikely duo became the heart of a film that mixed crime-solving with chaotic comedy. But behind every scene where H***h chewed, drooled, or barked at the wrong moment, there was a carefully crafted performance by a dog named Beasley and a behind-the-scenes story as entertaining as the film itself.
Beasley, the 17-month-old Dogue de Bordeaux, had never acted before. The breed was so rare in the United States that the production had to expand their search across the country. Canine casting director Clint Rowe was tasked with the nearly impossible: finding a dog with the right mix of size, strength, and expressive charm to match the film’s vision. After scanning breeders and animal talent agencies, Rowe came across Beasley in Wisconsin. With a massive head, droopy eyes, and a mug that could melt or menace, Beasley was an instant standout.
He was flown to Los Angeles and began intensive training with dog trainer Karl Lewis Miller, who had previously worked on "Benji" and "K-9." Miller immediately saw potential in Beasley’s unique expressions and ability to follow complex commands. But the training wasn’t just about obedience it required preparing Beasley for precise, dramatic, and often humorous cues. For one scene, he had to lunge through a car window at a suspect. For another, he had to appear to sob quietly at his owner’s deathbed. Beasley’s performance blended comedic timing with genuine emotion, drawing reactions from Hanks that made their dynamic unforgettable.
Tom Hanks initially hesitated at the prospect of acting opposite a dog, especially in a lead role that relied so heavily on chemistry between man and canine. But when he met Beasley, that hesitation faded. During rehearsals, Hanks spent hours playing fetch and walking the set with the dog to build trust. Director Roger Spottiswoode encouraged this bonding, knowing that the film’s success hinged on their connection. And it paid off scenes where Hanks yells in frustration as H***h destroys his pristine home or shares a quiet moment on the beach became instant favorites, largely because of the authentic rapport between them.
There were challenges, of course. Beasley was strong-willed, and Miller later joked that Hanks had to compete with liver treats for Beasley’s attention. In one scene, H***h was supposed to leap onto Turner’s bed and pin him down. Beasley, eager and heavy, knocked the wind out of Hanks, who laughed it off but needed a few minutes to catch his breath. Despite such mishaps, Hanks grew deeply fond of Beasley, calling him “the most professional co-star I’ve ever worked with” during an interview at the time.
Beasley shared his role with three backup dogs used for stunts or specific behaviors, but Beasley appeared in over 80% of the film. Each dog had its own specialty: one for running, one for barking on command, and one for jumping. Still, Beasley remained the face of H***h, and his performance was so convincing that many viewers believed the film featured only one dog throughout.
The film's emotional climax, where H***h sacrifices himself during a shootout, was made even more poignant by Beasley’s stillness and expressive eyes. The scene required several takes, with Hanks visibly emotional. The crew said the bond between actor and dog was real, and it showed.
Beasley lived out the rest of his days in California with his trainer, away from the cameras but always remembered by those who worked with him. For Hanks, the experience of filming "Turner & H***h" marked a rare blend of comedy, action, and heart with a co-star who didn't speak a word but said everything with a look.
