Michael Jackson’s Chimp Bubbles is living a quiet life after fame

Bubbles’ current home is home to other famous primates, such as Ripley, 37 – who appeared in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective And Junior – And BamBam34, known for his role in the soap opera Nurse Precious.

After Jackson’s death in 2009, rumors swirled that Bubbles had left $2 million in the singer’s will.

Ragan denied that claim in 2019, confirming that the chimpanzee was “unnamed” in the estate documents and that his care since arriving at the sanctuary has been under the Jackson estate.

Interest in Bubbles has been revived by the upcoming Jackson biopic Michael, due out in April.

Although the real chimpanzee won’t appear, IMDB lists an actress – Lilly Colucci – as playing him in the film, ensuring Bubbles’ legacy, like his life, continues to bridge the worlds of celebrity and sanctuary.

Jackson’s Neverland menagerie was a private zoo full of exotic animals such as tigers, giraffes, elephants, monkeys – including the famous chimpanzee Bubbles.

There were also numerous reptiles, which functioned as part of his personal Peter Pan-themed fantasy world.

The animals, which were a big part of Neverland’s appeal, included the tigers Thriller and Sabu, who were eventually moved as the singer’s financial and legal troubles mounted before he died of a drug overdose in 2009 at the age of 50.