Raccoon Model for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Dies

Oreo the raccoon, the real-life model for "Guardians of the Galaxy" character Rocket, has died after a brief illness.

Oreo the raccoon, the real-life model for "Guardians of the Galaxy" character Rocket, has died after a brief illness.

He was 10.

"Oreo you made so many people's lives happy. You have been an amazing ambassador for raccoons everywhere," read a post on the Facebook site of the super hero comic book team. 

"This is so hard special little man, we wanted you to live forever but never as you have been the last few days," the post read. "Fly high Oreo, our super hero, love you lots like jelly tots."

The four-legged model walked the red carpet with director James Gunn at the film's London premiere in 2014.

Rocket debuted in the Marvel comic book series in 1976. He was named after The Beatles' song "Rocky Raccoon." His onscreen voice was provided by actor Bradley Cooper, both in the 2014 film and its 2017 sequel.