SHOCKING! Regina Hall Ditched Journalism for Acting—And Her Ugly-Cute Bulldog Zeus Changed Everything!

Actress Regina Hall on Zeus, her thing of beauty

From Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP

Last refreshed: April 27, 2026

A few years back, on a London trip, I treated myself to a tour of poet John Keats' home. Seen as one of the greatest poets ever, Keats' work is loved worldwide. Walking his brick Hampstead house where he spent his last healthy days, I learned something about him. This honored wordsmith had trained as a surgeon before the hard call to ditch a potentially wealthy, respected medical career to be, gulp, a poet. Though friends and family likely thought him flat-out mad, Keats pushed on and gave us some of the most read Romantic works ever printed. I left with fresh clarity on what I admire most in fully-realized people: when stuck choosing the easy, expected path or the hard but right one, these folks find the strength to dig deep and hug the unknown. This power to reinvent, even against long odds, is to me the single most admirable trait in those I've grown to respect. So when I found out I'd interview Hollywood's Regina Hall—funny, charming, adorable, no doubt—you can guess my shock learning this trained journalist walked from that path when a family tragedy had her stare hard in the mirror. She chose to reinvent. And countless Regina fans would agree, they're glad she did. But her reinvention didn't end at journalist-to-star. No, this self-called former non-animal-lover has done a near 180 over the last eight years, all because of a four-legged dude named Zeus. A funny-faced boy who, to Regina, proves Keats' line: 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever.'

I knew I was in trouble early, when Merlin climbed over a baby gate at eight weeks. He was one of the smartest dogs I’ve ever known, and all his life he pushed me to stay a step ahead of him.

MD:You earned a Masters in Journalism, yet here you are a familiar face on the big screen, with recent rom-com hits like Think Like a Man and Best Man Holiday. And we loved you as Brenda Meeks in Scary Movie and as Coretta Lipp in Ally McBeal. As a journalism student, did you ever see your career going this way? What caused the turn?RH:I was living in New York, unsure what I wanted. In my first grad-school month my dad had a stroke. He passed and that shifted my thinking. That's when I started mulling life's shortness and such. Then I figured, well, my dad would want me to finish school so I will, but I'm going to try something I'm truly pumped about. And I did love journalism, honestly. That would've been great too. So that's the turn. It wasn't planned, just kind of happened.

MD:Of all the roles you've played, which did you grow closest to?RH:Honestly, I love them all. Clearly I bonded with Scary Movie's Brenda since I did it four times. But I'd say I love all of them. Joan [Regina's character in the Feb 2014 rom-com About Last Night] is really special to me because she reminds me of a woman most can see themselves in, or have a friend like. She's a bit wild, but sweet, smart, grounded, yet crazy in relationships.

MD:Okay, gear shift. Always been an animal lover?RH:No!

MD:I love your honesty.RH:I used to hear people do this or that for their animals and think they were nuts. I'd watch folks cry over a dying dog and be like: 'Get another one.' I truly didn't get it. Then the joke landed on me, 'cause man… It's weird, once you love one animal you see every animal as a real, live little soul. It opens a whole other world. We had family dogs growing up, but there's something about caring for your own dog; it's like a full relationship. I became one of those crazy women at the dog park daily.

For now, let’s keep it simple. “Intelligence” means the ability to acquire and use knowledge and skills. By that yardstick, you’ve surely known dogs who were brilliant and some who couldn’t find the exit of an open pen. Here are signs you may have a clever pup.

MD:Rumor says you've got a special fur kid. Who is he? How'd he enter your life?RH:His name's Zeus. I was shooting something and saw a man with two of the cutest little dogs. Little French bulldogs… They were so adorable and I was like, I want one. I was on the phone with my then-boyfriend and he said: 'Regina, sure you want a dog? Dogs are a lot of work.' But I knew, I wanted a dog. So (on my birthday) we went to pick one out, and I wanted this little Frenchie—his name was Poncho. I went to grab him, but—this is when I realized your dog picks you—there was another dog there going bonkers. I picked him up and went: 'He is hyper!' Then I picked Poncho up, held him close, and he was so calm, but that other, hyper one kept staring at me. And I was like: 'Oh no…' And my girlfriend said: 'Yup, that one's yours.' So of course, I took the crazy one. He was an English Bulldog, but he fooled me 'cause those English Bulldogs are so cute small you forget they become this whole other big thing. One day we were outside and he ran into the street—I'd had him two or three weeks—and my heart dropped like I'd… I don't know. And I was like: 'Oh my gosh, I love him. I love my dog.' Your dog just rides it out with you through the years, through everything. He wasn't the dog I planned on. But he's the best and cutest.

MD:What makes Zeus one of a kind?RH:Well, first, he is stunningly handsome. I tell him he's the cutest thing on four legs. He's a boy, so he's selfish. Once his needs are met, he just goes to the other room. I'm like, you want to cuddle, and he's like: 'No, woman.' He sleeps in; hates waking before noon. But he's super friendly; gives love to all. I used to volunteer at a seniors' home—a convalescent care spot—and he'd come and I could trust he wouldn't snap… He's got so much love in that fat little body.

MD:Given your biz can seem shallow sometimes, how does Zeus keep you grounded?RH:I don't think there's a way he doesn't. I look at him and, it sounds crazy, but I make this God comparison. Like Zeus will want to run one way 'cause he spots something and I'm like 'No, Zeus' and have to pull him back. I look at him and wonder if that's how God keeps me safe. Zeus reminds me there's a bigger picture. He gives my life a spiritual lens, to see the smallest things matter.

MD:I heard about some doggie products of yours dropping. Details?RH:They're green-friendly poop bags. Three kinds. All about convenience and being earth-kind. The line's called Puff Puff Paws. Out this year. My partner and I are on it—we found a great maker and sourced soy paint for colors—everything's very earth-friendly. And they'll be cute.

2. Fast Learner: The Quick Study

MD:What's the biggest life lesson from Zeus?RH:Every dog today amazes me. I get people's love now. I've likely made more friends because of Zeus. I feel animals erase the lines between people. You stop seeing the person, you see a dog-lover and connect there. It's like folks trust you more with a dog. He'll run into someone's house and they're like: 'He's so cute! Come in! We love dogs.' Whereas a lone human at your door… (laughs). There's just something about a dog-lover. Know what I love most about Zeus? You know how bad their little teeth are and his head's big and legs short [but] he thinks he's perfectly made. He sees other dogs and makes no comparisons. He's just like: 'I am a stud.' Dogs think they're gorgeous and so we do too. If Zeus can accept those legs, why am I complaining so much?!

MD:What are you most proud of as a woman?RH:Just that I've grown into acceptance. And my dog helped. I feel like an adult now, where I get that some things you must surrender to. It's less what I've done, more how I think now. My life isn't what I pictured. I thought I'd be married with 2.1 kids. But this is it. And I've learned to embrace what I got… I just bought a new house 'cause I was like: 'My dog deserves a yard.' Even though Zeus will probably never use it, I was like 'We're moving, Zeus.' So, probably that: just that everything is perfect and where I want it.

See more of Regina in her new movie, About Last Night, alongside Kevin Hart, Joy Bryant, and Michael Ealy. Fittingly out February 14th, this modern remake of the classic David Mamet rom-com follows new love for two couples—the perfect date-night pick!

When Merlin wanted a bone my other Sheltie, Sundance, had, he’d stare at her for a minute. Then he’d race to the front door and bark like mad. She dropped the bone and ran to join him at the door. The instant she did, Merlin dashed back and stole it. Solved! Sundance fell for it every time—so she may be the example of the less gifted sibling.

Call it manipulation or problem-solving, it’s clever—and it takes real thought to reach a goal.

Are Some Dogs Just Smarter? The Science of Learning

Worried your dog isn’t smart? Before you point fingers, make sure you’re a good teacher. Sometimes the problem isn’t the student!

Do Your Dogs Understand What Your Cues Mean?

Just saying “Fido, Come!” doesn’t mean he knows what that is. Saying “Sit! Sit! Sit!” a hundred times doesn’t teach sit. You have to first show him what the words mean.

Understanding are you consistent with your cues?

If you say “Get down!” for off the counter and “Down” for lie down, how does he know which you mean? Do you say “Sit” while your partner says “Sit down”? Do you call “Come!” for a walk, then blow up when he won’t sprint from across the yard at the same word? One cue can’t mean several things—it’s too confusing for a dog.

Understanding do you have realistic expectations?

You taught come in the backyard. At the dog park he acts like he’s never heard it. Stubborn? Stupid? Neither. You just haven’t finished his training. The backyard has none of the park’s distractions. You jumped to an advanced behaviour without the foundation.

If training isn’t clicking, call a reward-based trainer who uses the science of learning to get your canine student on track. A good trainer trains you, too!

How to i’m bored! when intelligence becomes a challenge

Smart dogs are a joy to train—unless you’re not up to it, in which case buckle up. Smart dogs bore fast and will amuse themselves. Far better you guide those choices, or you’ll see behaviour issues you don’t love, such as:

If you have a smart dog, exercise not just his body but his brain.

Understanding how to keep a highly intelligent dog happy and stimulated

Here are some ways to keep your brilliant pup on his toes!

Understanding the funny side of having a very smart dog

There were moments Merlin’s smarts frustrated me—especially the day he learned to beat double gates and open the door to the kitchen, then hop on a chair to reach a cooling cake. I’d been gone minutes, but came back to nibble marks all around the edges. Merlin’s brain kept me sharp, but life with him was never dull.

Why the top 10 smartest dog breeds

These breeds top the canine intelligence charts, per Dr. Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs. Bright breeds like these tend to learn a new command in under five reps and obey at least 95% of the time.