OSAKA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Singer Michael Jackson enjoys a cup of tea with his pet Bubbles at Osaka City Mayoral Hall on September 18, 1987 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Sankei Archive via Getty Images)
Sankei via Getty Images
Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles, who appears via CGI in Michael, is alive and well in an animal sanctuary, according to the film’s studio.
Michael — a biopic that chronicles the King of Pop’s career from his time as a 10-year-old singer (Juliano Krue Valdi) in the Jackson 5 and as adult (Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son) navigating his solo career as an adult in 1988 — opened in theaters nationwide on Friday. Jackson’s affinity for animals is displayed throughout the film, and it includes the moment he adopted Bubbles from a Texas research facility in the 1983.
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When Bubbles arrives at the Jackson estate in the film, the pop star’s mother, Katherine (Nia Long), is stunned at her son’s adoption of the primate. She warily tells him, “Michael, you do know that chimps are wild animals that don’t belong in a house in Encino?”
In spite of the family’s reservations, Bubbles doesn’t cause any damage to his surroundings.
Bubbles mostly appears in scenes in out outside of the Jackson family home, and at one point he is sitting alongside engineers while Michael Jackson is cutting tracks in a recording studio.
In real-life, Michael’s studio, Lionsgate gave an update about Bubbles’ whereabouts today.
“We have had continuing constructive dialogue with PETA about the portrayal of Bubbles the chimpanzee as a pet,” the studio said in an exclusive release to PETA. “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,” the statement added.
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Jackson’s pet chimp isn’t the only animal to make a CGI appearance in Michael. The film also includes the singer’s pet giraffe, snake and llama.
Bubbles appears briefly in the Michael trailer below.
According to the Center for Great Apes, Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee, Bubbles, is now 43 years old. The sanctuary, which is located in Wauchula, Fla., receives support for Bubbles from the Michael Jackson Estate.
The Center for Great Apes said Bubbles weighs 185 pounds now and is “a calm and artistic presence at the sanctuary.”
ForbesRotten Tomatoes Critics Rank Top 10 Pop Music BiopicsBy Tim LammersThe sanctuary noted, “Bubbles especially enjoys painting, often spending quiet time creating colorful works of art. He only hands over the canvas when he’s truly finished, and his expressive style sometimes goes beyond the borders!”
The center also noted that Bubbles is “the respected leader of his chimpanzee group” and “his closest friends” are named Oopsie, Boma, Kodua and Stryker.
“Though shy and private, Bubbles is also playful,” the Center for Great Apes wrote. “He’s been known for gently teasing visitors with a splash of water or a sprinkle of sand, just for fun.”
Rated PG-13, Michael is playing in theaters nationwide.
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