'Air Bud' Creator Kevin DiCicco Dead at 63
March 24, 2026 
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‘Air Bud’ Creator
Kevin DiCicco Dead at 63
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Kevin DiCicco — the creator of “Air Bud,” who had fallen on hard times in recent years — has died … TMZ has learned.
Kevin’s brother Mark tells TMZ … Kevin passed away Saturday after spending some time in hospice.
We’re told Kevin smoked a lot, and he developed advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He died in San Diego, California.
Kevin found Buddy — the dog actor who would play the eponymous “Air Bud” role — roaming near his Yosemite cabin in 1989 and brought him home with him to San Diego.
Kevin taught Buddy a series of tricks revolved around sports … and, he later sent a video of Buddy to “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” A producer for David Letterman saw the video and booked Kevin and Buddy on the hit late-night talk show.
Buddy appeared in the OG “Air Bud” film in 1997 … and, Kevin received a creator credit — however, he told us in 2024 that it didn’t translate into a payday for him.
Buddy passed away in 1998.
Kevin ended up homeless … and he stayed in a San Diego shelter until the 90-day limit lapsed. Last year, he was hospitalized while battling severe pneumonia.
DiCicco was 63.
RIP
