Meet Hamlet, He’s About to be the Most Famous Cat in NYC

We all love a good rags-to-riches story, and they don’t get much better than Hamlet’s. This 1-year-old orange tabby is about to be the most famous cat in the city, and here’s why.

We’ve all heard those stories of superstars being discovered singing at bus stops, busking on street corners, hunting mice in Long Island. OK, maybe not that last one, but that’s exactly Hamlet’s story. He is the new Mascot of NYC’s elegant Algonquin Hotel and he’s living the American dream.

Midtown’s Algonquin opened in 1902 and has had a resident cat since the 1920s. The hotel’s first cat, Billy, was a stray that sauntered in and never left. Hamlet, the new cat, is named after the hotel’s resident tabby back in 1933. The original Hamlet was named by actor John Barrymore who was a frequent guest of the hotel. Hamlet-the-first went by the name Rusty until the actor said the kitten needed a more dignified name… hence “Hamlet,” Barrymore’s greatest role.

Now the 12th Algonquin cat, this is the seventh “Hamlet.” He’s taking over from Matilda (there have been three Matildas) who came to the hotel in 2010. If Matilda is anything to go by, Hamlet is in for a busy time. In her time at the Algonquin, she has participated in international TV appearances and even has her own book, published in October 2016.

Hamlet will make his debut on Thursday’s annual Cat Fashion Show, where he’ll be helping raise money for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

From a feral colony near Hempstead, Long Island, to the lap of luxury, Hamlet is about to be the most famous cat in the city and you can meet him on Thursday.

(H/T nypost.com)

Featured image source (Matilda) [algonquinhotel]