Michael Jackson had one of the most famous pets in the history of pop culture—a chimpanzee named Bubbles who traveled the world with him, sat in on recording sessions, and became almost as recognizable as the King of Pop himself. For years, the two were inseparable, sharing hotel suites, red carpets, and even a bedroom at Neverland Ranch. Now, with a major biopic bringing Jackson’s life back into the spotlight, the world is asking again: whatever happened to Bubbles?
How Michael Jackson got Bubbles
According to the Center for Great Apes, Jackson bought Bubbles in the mid-1980s after the chimpanzee was born at a biomedical research facility in Texas, with animal trainer Bob Dunn helping bring the young chimp into his life. Reports differ on how exactly the acquisition happened, with some accounts saying Jackson purchased him directly from the facility when he was only eight months old, while others say he bought him through a Hollywood animal trainer. As reported by The Telegraph, Bob Dunn later described Jackson and Bubbles as close friends and playmates, and said Jackson viewed Bubbles as his first child. From the moment Bubbles arrived, the two were rarely apart.
Michael Jackson and Bubbles on tour and in the studio
According to Variety, Jackson brought Bubbles on tour and the chimp was even his plus-one at his lawyer John Branca’s wedding. The two sipped tea together while visiting government officials in Japan in 1987, and Jackson later moved Bubbles to Neverland Ranch, where he slept in a crib in Jackson’s bedroom. Reports from the time noted that Bubbles also showed up in music videos, sat in during recording sessions, and was present at celebrity parties where he reportedly worked the room and was the life of the party.The chimp had his share of famous run-ins along the way. As People magazine reported, Jon Bon Jovi told Jimmy Kimmel he once partied with Bubbles in a Tokyo hotel room, recalling that the chimp was jumping on the bed and entertaining everyone in the room. Not all encounters were so lighthearted. As reported by MSN, music producer Quincy Jones once recalled bluntly: “He was a pain in the ass. He bit Rashida,” referring to his daughter Rashida Jones.
The moonwalk, the agent, and the bodyguard
Jackson taught Bubbles how to do his iconic moonwalk, and Bubbles had his own agent and was rumored to have his own personal bodyguard. Bubbles also made a cameo appearance in the ‘Liberian Girl’ video, one of several times he appeared on screen alongside Jackson.
Michael Jackson and Bubbles meet the Mayor of Osaka
Reports confirm that during the Bad World Tour, Bubbles and Jackson shared a hotel suite in Tokyo and made a social visit to the Mayor of Osaka, where Bubbles drank Japanese green tea while seated quietly next to Jackson. The mayor’s office noted at the time that officials were surprised to see a chimpanzee walk into City Hall, but acknowledged he appeared to be Jackson’s genuine companion. It has also been widely reported that due to strict quarantine laws, Bubbles was not permitted to travel to Sweden and the UK during portions of the tour, though he did join Jackson at Elizabeth Taylor’s house and at a promotional party.
When Michael Jackson and Bubbles went their separate ways
As Jackson’s family grew, so did Bubbles. As People magazine reported, Jackson himself described Bubbles as pugnacious in the 2003 documentary ‘Living with Michael Jackson,’ and the chimpanzee was eventually moved out of the home over concerns he posed a safety risk to Jackson’s newborn son. Speaking to The Telegraph after Jackson’s passing, Bob Dunn said: “Bubbles definitely missed him when they parted. The last time Michael visited, Bubbles definitely recognized and remembered him.“
Where is Bubbles today?
Patti Ragan, founding director of the Center for Great Apes, told Variety: “He’s such a sweet, sweet guy. People still picture him as a cute little baby with a pink face that Michael carried around. But he’s a big boy now, about 170 pounds. He’s living with a group of five, and we’re introducing some youngsters into that group right now.”At 43, reports confirm that Bubbles is considered an elderly primate who spends much of his time napping. His favorite foods are fruits, vegetables and leafy greens, and he loves filling Velcro backpacks with little treasures and carrying them around. As confirmed by Fox 13 News through a direct interview with Ragan at the sanctuary, the Michael Jackson Estate pays over $30,000 annually for Bubbles’ care, and Jackson had been making plans to visit at the time of his passing in 2009 but never got the chance.
What does Bubbles represent beyond the headlines?
The Center for Great Apes notes on their official website that Bubbles is shy and private but also playful, known for gently teasing visitors with a splash of water or a sprinkle of sand. Despite being very photogenic, he does not like cameras and will often turn his back when one appears.Lionsgate released a formal statement through PETA regarding the biopic: “This portrayal is simply based on historical fact and is not intended to be an endorsement of keeping chimpanzees as pets. Bubbles is portrayed in the movie using CGI technology and the real Bubbles has been living a peaceful life at the Center for Great Apes sanctuary for more than 20 years.”At 43 years old, living quietly in a Florida sanctuary, surrounded by other chimpanzees and cared for by people who love him, Bubbles has long since left all of that behind. The cameras are gone, the tours are over, and the moonwalking lessons were a long time ago. By all accounts, he is doing just fine.
