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West Michigan dogs feature in film with awards season buzz

Posted at 6:27 PM, Aug 12, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-12 18:27:31-04

CALEDONIA, Mich.--A pair of local celebrities are making their big movie debut--but they're not veteran actors with familiar faces in West Michigan.

Actually, these guys have four legs.

Quincy and Takoda are dogs starring in the new indie flick "The End of the Tour." Their owner, Melissa Simpson, is a certified dog trainer. She says she and her husband, Tedd, got a call about a year ago from a dog talent agency. The casting agents were only looking for a trainer, but got two of their actors, as well.

"The End of the Tour" tells the story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky--played by Jesse Eisenberg--and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace--played by Jason Segel.

Quincy and Takoda play Wallace's best pals, and they're not just quick cameos--Wallace often indicated through interviews that he loved his two mixed-breed black dogs.

The movie was shot almost entirely in West Michigan.

The Simpsons plan on attending the film's West Michigan premiere in a few weeks. Unfortunately, they'll have to do it without Takoda--he passed away in September 2014.

"To be able to see him again, and so alive and happy and healthy, will be really wonderful because we miss him very much," said Melissa.

The film is available only in limited release, but it will be showing at Celebration North starting Friday, August 21st.