Maine Coons in Art and Literature#

Maine Coons have a presence. When they walk into a room, heads turn. It is no surprise that they have captured the imagination of artists, writers, and directors for decades.

They are often cast as the “magical” cat or the “guardian” cat. Their size makes them imposing, but their nature makes them trainable actors.

Here are the most famous Maine Coons you might know (and some you didn’t know were Maine Coons).

Mrs. Norris (Harry Potter)#

The most famous Maine Coon in modern cinema is undoubtedly Mrs. Norris, the patrolling companion of Argus Filch in the Harry Potter movies.

Mrs. Norris was played primarily by a Maine Coon named Pebbles.

The Look: The animal trainers used gel to spike Pebbles’ fur and make her look “mangy” and scruffy, fitting the character. In reality, she was a healthy, well-groomed show cat.
The Behavior: Maine Coons were chosen because they can be trained to sit still, walk on command, and “stare” menacingly—traits that are natural to the breed.

Fun Fact: Filch (actor David Bradley) reportedly got along famously with the cats, often keeping treats in his pockets for them between takes.

Church (Pet Sematary)#

Stephen King, a native of Maine, knows the breed well. In his original novel Pet Sematary, the cat Church (Winston Churchill) is described as a classic tabby.

While the 1989 movie used a British Shorthair, the 2019 remake correctly cast a Maine Coon. Or rather, five Maine Coons. The main actor was a rescue cat named Leo. His brooding look and large size perfectly captured the eerie presence King described.

Hemingway’s Cats#

Ernest Hemingway was famous for his polydactyl (six-toed) cats at his home in Key West, Florida.

While not all of them were purebred Maine Coons, geneticists believe the “thumb cat” gene in the Hemingway colony likely originated from Maine Coon ship cats that sailed down the East Coast. Today, the Hemingway Home and Museum is home to dozens of descendants, many showing the classic Maine Coon size and polydactyl paws.

The “Catinfluencers”#

In the digital age, Maine Coons dominate Instagram and TikTok.

Lotus: A massive cream Maine Coon from Sweden with over 300k followers.
Richie: The “Black Smoke” Maine Coon whose coat looks like a werewolf.

These cats have done more for the breed’s popularity in 5 years than cat shows did in 50. They showcase the “Gentle Giant” personality—letting their owners hold them like babies, wear clothes, and travel on leashes.

Conclusion#

Whether they are guarding the halls of Hogwarts or sleeping on Hemingway’s typewriter, Maine Coons have always been muses. They are characters. If you live with one, you know that every day is a bit of a sitcom.

Resources & Further Reading#

Wizarding World. (n.d.). The Cats of Harry Potter.
Hemingway Home & Museum. (2024). Our Cats.