Kevin DiCicco, the man who rescued a stray dog near Yosemite and turned him into one of the most beloved animal movie stars in history, has died. He was 63. His brother, Mark DiCicco, confirmed the death to TMZ. DiCicco died Saturday in San Diego after spending his final days in hospice care. The cause of death was advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. The condition "is an ongoing lung condition caused by damage to the lungs," according to the Mayo Clinic.