Introduction
Tropic Thunder is a 2008 comedy action movie written by Justin Theroux and Ben Stiller, with the latter also serving as the film’s director. It features an ensemble cast including Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Brandon Jackson and Jay Baruchel, where they play a group of spoiled and temperamental actors who were cast to shoot a film based on the fake memoir of a Vietnam War veteran. When the group is dropped in the middle of a jungle, they are caught by a drug-producing gang and must use their acting prowess to avoid the real danger. The film, which also features performances by Tom Cruise and Steve Coogan, premiered on August 13, 2008 and was met with positive acclaim.
Tropic Thunder Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
In the film-within-a-film Tropic Thunder, Ben Stiller not only serves as the director; he also plays the lead character, a washed-up action hero named Tugg Speedman. He and his co-actors are left in the middle of the jungle in what they think is part of the shooting process. However, they soon discover that they are actually in real danger in the hands of the deadly Flaming Dragon gang. Through a series of misadventures, Tugg serves as a “hero” and helps his friends make it out alive.
Another “hero” with the name Tugg is the rescued Bull Terrier who literally saved the life of his owner. He is owned by Kim and Blake Ovard, a husband and wife who are both animal control officers. They first found out about Tugg, who was just 4-month-old when a police officer called them regarding a dog wrapped in a blanket who was abandoned on the side of the road. According to the officers who found him, Tugg was full of scabs, his eyes were swollen and riddled with infections, which made them believe that he was left to die on that highway.
When Blake arrived at the shelter to check on Tugg, he immediately thought that the dog had been through a rough life and was in such horrible shape that he might not survive. However, he just thought that Tugg had a will to live despite all the abuse that he went through. With this spark of life, the Ovards decided to keep the pooch for their own. What they did not know was how much of an impact Tugg would make in their lives.
In 2014, Kim was diagnosed with conditions known as Lewy Body Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia. However, even before the doctors found out, Tugg was already able to pick up the signs. Blake believed that the dog’s strong connection with Kim allowed him to sense that something was wrong. He alerted the family by nudging Kim to slow down, kneeling near Kim’s face and making loud bark noises when she was some distance away from him. Because of Tugg’s awareness of the disease, the couple was able to catch the condition early.
Since then, Tugg has become a certified service and therapy dog and has visited numerous organizations, including nursing homes, hospitals and schools. In addition, he has become the face of campaigns regarding anti-bullying, proper pet care and breast cancer research, to name a few. Tugg was also the recipient of the American Kennel Club Award of Canine Excellence in 2011. Blake Ovard, who happens to be an artist and illustrator, dedicated an entire web series and comic book featuring Tugg as a superhero dog. His Kickstarter campaign was a success and he was able to turn Tugg into an animated superhero, just like in real life.
Tropic Thunder Inspired Dog Name Considerations
What’s in a name? You might think that you can throw caution to the wind when naming a dog because they have no control over your choice. While this is partly true, you have to remember that your dog’s name will play an important role in their development. This is especially true if you plan to train your dog or teach them some basic commands.
For our four-legged pals, names should, first and foremost, be easy to understand. Sometimes, less is more; your dog should be able to know and recognize when they are being called. With that said, it is best to pick a name that produces a clear, distinct sound when spoken. Good examples are names that start with T, D or K, which produces sounds that are distinguishable.
Another consideration when choosing a name is the length. The best names for dogs are short, particularly ones that do not go over two syllables. In case you want to name your dog after a certain character with a long name, have a shortened version for day-to-day use. For instance, the name “Tugg Speedman”, after the Tropic Thunder character, is a cool name for a pooch. However, when calling out your dog, it is best to go with just “Tugg”.
Male Tropic Thunder Inspired Dog Names
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Tugg
After Tugg Speedman, a former superstar who has become a box office bomb
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Tayback
After John Tayback, author of the memoir “Tropic Thunder“
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John
After John Tayback, a Vietnam war veteran
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Kirk
After Kirk Lazarus, an Australian actor who is part of the cast
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Lazarus
Based on Kirk Lazarus, a five-time Academy Award winner known for his method acting
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Jeff
After Jeff Portnoy, a comedian who is addicted to drugs
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Kevin
After Kevin Sandusky, a new actor who is part of the film
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Cody
After Cody Underwood, the helicopter pilot and the film’s explosive expert
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Chino
After Alpa Chino, a closeted rapper who wants to become an actor
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Motown
The role of Alpa Chino in the film
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Grossman
After Les Grossman, a studio executive who is producing the “Tropic Thunder” film
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Rob
After Rob Slolom, Grossman’s assistant
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Rick
After Rick Peck, Grossman’s best friend and agent
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Dragon
After Flaming Dragon, a gang that produces and sells heroin
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Ben
After Ben Stiller, the actor who portrayed Tugg Speedman
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Jack
After Jack Black, the actor who portrayed Jeff Portnoy
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Downey
After Robert Downey, Jr., the actor who portrayed Kirk Lazarus
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Nick
After Nick Nolte, the actor who portrayed John Tayback
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Steve
After Steve Coogan, the actor who portrayed Damien Cockburn
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Jay
After Jay Baruchel, the actor who portrayed Kevin Sandusky
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Danny
After Danny McBride, the actor who portrayed Cody Underwood
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Jackson
After Brandon Jackson, the actor who portrayed Alpa Chino
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Tom
After Tom Cruise, the actor who portrayed Les Grossman
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Bill
After Bill Hader, the actor who portrayed Rob Slolom
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Matthew
After Matthew McConaughey, the actor who portrayed Rick Peck
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Brandon
After Brandon Soo Hoo, the actor who portrayed Tran
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Trieu
After Trieu Tran, the actor who portrayed Tru
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Justin
After Justin Theroux, one of the film’s screenwriters
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Cohen
After Etan Cohen, one of the film’s screenwriters
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Stuart
After Stuart Cornfeld, one of the film’s producers
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Female Tropic Thunder Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Stiller
After actor Ben Stiller, the film’s director
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Four Leaf
John Tayback’s nickname
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Lincoln
After Lincoln Osiris, one of the movie roles of Kirk Lazarus
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Thunder
After Tropic Thunder, the fake memoir written by Tayback
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Brooklyn
The soldier role being played by Kevin Sandusky
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Alpa
From Alpa Chino, a closeted rapper trying his luck in the acting world
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Tran
The 12-year-old leader of Flaming Dragon gang
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Byong
Tran’s second-in-command
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Tru
A dedicated and loyal soldier for the Flaming Dragon
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Tropic
From the movie title
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Rebecca
One of the minor characters from Tugg Speedman’s film “Simple Jack”
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Christine
After Christine Taylor, the actress who portrayed Rebecca
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Taylor
From actress Christine Taylor, who played the role of Rebecca
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Reggie
After Reggie Lee, the actor who portrayed Byong
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Tyra
After Tyra Banks, a supermodel who makes a cameo in the film
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Maria
After Maria Menounos, an entertainment reporter who makes a cameo in the film
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Mooney
After The Mooney Suzuki, an American garage band that makes an appearance in the film
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Jennifer
After Jennifer Love Hewitt, a singer-actress who briefly appears in the film
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Yvette
After Yvette Nicole Brown, the actress who portrayed Peck’s assistant
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Nicole
From actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who played the role of Peck’s assistant
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Mini
After Mini Anden, the actress who portrayed Grossman’s secretary
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Rachel
After Rachel Avery, the actress who portrayed one of Speedman’s assistants
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Nadine
After Nadine Ellis, the actress who portrayed one of Speedman’s assistants
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Valerie
After Valerie Azlynn, the actress who portrayed Damien’s assistant
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Andrea
After Andrea de Oliveria, the actress who portrayed Speedman’s trainer
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Jel
After Jel Galiza, the actress who portrayed Speedman’s chef
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Francine
After Francine Maisler, one of the film’s producers
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Kathy
After Kathy Driscoll, one of the film’s producers
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Marlene
After Marlene Stewart, the film’s costume designer
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Leeann
After Leeann Stonebreaker, the film’s production supervisor
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