Meet ‘Meowzart’: The rescue cat heading for TV stardom

A piano-playing rescue cat from Ireland is on his way to becoming an unlikely television star.

According to the Irish Examiner, the feline, now known as Kit has landed a major role in an upcoming TV project, marking the latest chapter in a story that began with near tragedy.

From abandoned kitten to ‘Meowzart’

Kit was just a day old when he was abandoned by his mother in a farm building. His chances of survival were slim until he was rescued and hand-reared by Laura Murphy.

It did not take long for Murphy to realise that Kit was no ordinary cat.

Within five weeks, he had begun learning tricks. Soon after, he discovered an unusual talent, playing a tiny piano. The skill earned him the nickname “Meowzart.”

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Now two years old, Kit regularly performs at home, often entertaining Murphy and her dogs with his mini concerts, reports the Irish Examiner.

A growing screen presence

Kit’s talents have already taken him to television screens.

He appeared in the RTÉ dark comedy Obituary, in a strikingly unusual scene where he gnawed on a dead body before vomiting a human nose in front of a jogger. He later featured in the BBC drama Dead and Buried.

His latest project is set to give him a more prominent role. Filming has recently wrapped, though details remain under wraps for now. The show is expected to air later this year.

Training beyond species

Murphy, a professional dog trainer, adapted her methods to train Kit.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Murphy said, “I love all animals but my whole life was set up around dogs and dog training.”

“I wasn’t really sure where a cat was going to fit in, but he did,” she said.

Kit was one of three kittens born on the farm. Their mother fled after being disturbed, later returning for two of them. Kit was left behind until Murphy stepped in.

Not every trick lands

While Kit’s list of talents continues to grow, not every experiment has been a success.

Murphy admitted she ran into difficulties when she tried to train him to use a human toilet, proof that even the most gifted performers have their limits.

Other rescue animals that found fame

Kit is part of a growing group of rescue animals that have captured global attention.

Narwhal is a rescue puppy discovered in Missouri, United States with a rare tail-like growth on his forehead. This feature turned him into an overnight internet sensation.

The extra “unicorn tail” is nonfunctional, doesn’t wag, and causes him no pain. X‑rays showed no medical reason to remove it; he is perfectly healthy and very playful.

By 2023, Narwhal had grown into a sociable, happy dog who loves the outdoors. Rescued at about 10 weeks old by Mac’s Mission, a special‑needs dog rescue.

Bunny is a sheepadoodle who shot to fame for reportedly learning to “talk” using a soundboard with recorded words. Born around August 2019 in Washington, USA.  Known for using FluentPet AAC buttons, through which she reportedly learned 92 words.

She achieved massive popularity on TikTok, with 8 million followers as of 2022. Currently part of a scientific study by UC San Diego’s Comparative Cognition Lab to research interspecies communication.

Bunny frequently appears in videos demonstrating word combinations, often forming short “sentences.”

Peggy is a Pug–Chinese Crested (Pugese) mix whose unusual looks won her the title and later, a movie role.

Born in 2018 as the runt of an accidental litter in England and Peggy was adopted by Holly Middleton later that year.

Crowned Britain’s Ugliest Dog in a 2023 contest by ParrotPrint. Her win led to national media attention and an invitation into acting. Starred as Dogpool in the 2024 Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine after catching Ryan Reynolds’ attention.

She underwent extensive training for the role. Now a red‑carpet regular and fan‑event favorite.