Move over Hollywood stars—there’s a new talent in town, and his name is Koji. This four-pound Shih Tzu may be tiny in size, but his personality and star power are off the charts. From his expressive eyes to his playful howl, Koji proves that big things really do come in small packages. You might have spotted him lighting up your TV screen on Blue Bloods or bringing smiles during Saturday Night Live sketches. He’s also the furry face behind national campaigns for NY Lottery, BarkBox, Puppy Bowl and Pedigree. From modeling to acting, Koji is stealing hearts—and the spotlight.
We sat down with his humans to learn more about the famous SNL sensation who starred in the T-Mobile sponsored commercial, where Koji not only howled and barked on cue, but also delivered some undeniable fashion moments.
Tell us about Koji and how he came into your life?
Koji is a four-pound Shih Tzu with a giant personality. Our family has worked in animal acting for years, and Koji joined the pack to carry that tradition forward. From day one, his playful howl, expressive eyes, and natural camera sense made it clear he was born for the spotlight.
How did Koji become an actor?
Koji began training early with a focus on obedience and therapy-dog work—skills that translated perfectly to life on set. His calm focus, perfect poses, and mischievous howl quickly caught the attention of agencies. He booked his first jobs almost instantly and hasn’t stopped stealing scenes since.
Tell us about some of his television and commercial work.
Some of Koji’s credits include Blue Bloods, Saturday Night Live, and national campaigns for NY Lottery, BarkBox, Puppy Bowl, Pedigree, and T-Mobile. During the T-Mobile shoot, he famously howled through breaks, entertaining the entire crew—a behind-the-scenes moment that became a production favorite and was captured on video. Most recently, Koji appears in The Canine Project US campaign, which has been running over the past few months and also features his sister Serafina.
Any upcoming projects we should look out for?
Koji just wrapped a new national commercial scheduled to air this season. Both he and his brother Valentino were in the running for the lead—but we’ll let viewers guess which Tiny crew member ultimately made the final cut.
From four pounds to full-blown fame, Koji is a pint-sized powerhouse proving that charisma, talent, and a little howl can take you a long way. Stay tuned—this pint-sized star is just getting started! Find Koji and Serafina on Instagram @kojitales @serafina_thetinyshihtzu.
Watch the full SNL T-Mobile sponsored sketch here.
Watch Koji in action on the SNL set.