Whatever Happened to Michael Jackson’s Pet, Bubbles the Chimp?
What To Know
- Bubbles the chimpanzee was once Michael Jackson’s constant companion and a pop culture icon in the 1980s.
- Since 2005, Bubbles has resided at the Center for Great Apes in Florida.
In the movie Michael, Michael Jackson (played by Jaafar Jackson) brings home a baby chimp that he names Bubbles. The adorable creature soon becomes a beloved friend to Jackson, rarely leaving his side when he is at home.
He was best known for palling around with the King of Pop in the 1980s, Bubbles soon became the world’s most famous chimpanzee. Known to millions as Bubbles, he became one of Michael Jackson’s most recognizable companions, rarely far from the pop star’s side during that era and remaining a lasting symbol of his unconventional life.
Born in 1983, Bubbles was obtained as an infant from a Texas biomedical research facility by trainer Bob Dunn before becoming a constant companion to Jackson. Bubbles lived with Jackson for about six years, living at Neverland Ranch. He starred in many of Jackson’s music videos — including “Leave Me Alone,” “Liberian Girl,” as well as the documentary Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues — and went on tour with the singer in Japan.
Before the singer’s passing in 2009, Bubbles was “no longer suited for life around people” and officially retired from showbiz. He has been at the Center for Great Apes in Florida since 2005, along with other “retirees” from the entertainment industry.
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Now a 43-year-old chimp, he is noted for having a “calm and artistic presence” at the sanctuary. A respected leader of his chimp group, which includes his friends, Oopsie, Boma, Kodua, and Stryker. “Though shy and private, Bubbles is also playful. He’s been known for gently teasing visitors with a splash of water or a sprinkle of sand, just for fun.” His care and upkeep are paid for by the Michael Jackson estate to ensure his lifelong sanctuary needs are met.
To the Center, Bubbles is a VIP resident. On the site, they explain: “Bubbles’ life helps people understand an important truth about chimpanzees: while they may appear appealing as pets or performers when young, they are wild, intelligent, powerful beings who belong with their own kind. His journey from entertainment to sanctuary represents the kind of second chance every great ape deserves.”
It should be noted that after Bubbles went to live at the Center, Michael Jackson never went to visit Bubbles in his new home (though LaToya Jackson did visit in 2010 while filming a segment for Animal Planet).
TV Insider