The Day the Chalupa Died

Well, if they can mourn both Michael Jackson and his stuffed toys, I am sorry to report more sad news to the world.

Gidget, the 15-year-old dog best known for her Taco Bell ad campaign, died of a stroke Tuesday in Los Angeles, California, said Sue Chipperton, her trainer.

Uttering the words "Yo Quiero Taco Bell," Gidget, a female dog, played a male dog in the commercials.

But there is a dark side to Hollywood . . .

Roles were hard to come by for the pooch after her popularity soared from the Taco Bell ads, according to her trainer.

"She was kind of typecast, so she never really got much work after that," Chipperton said.

"That's what her life had come to over the years," playing small background roles, Chipperton said.

Thass' because she was a Latina, ese!

A memorial concert featuring Jennifer Lopez and Los Tigres del Norte is planned, with additional celebrity performers, and a date and venue to be announced later this week. Mayor Villaraigosa has already stated that the city will foot the bill for the event.