Where Is Michael Jackson's Chimp Bubbles Now? Inside the Life of the Famous Ape Today

Samantha StutsmanTue, April 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

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Michael Jackson and Bubbles in 1986; Bubbles.Credit: PictureLux/The Hollywood Archive via Alamy; Center for Great Apes/Facebook -

Michael Jackson acquired his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, in the 1980s

When Bubbles became too "pugnacious," he went to live with animal trainer Bob Dunn

Bubbles now resides at the Center for Great Apes in Florida

Michael Jackson owned several exotic animals — but none captured his heart quite like Bubbles the chimpanzee.

Bubbles first entered Jackson's life in the mid '80s, when animal trainer Bob Dunn helped acquire him from a Texas research facility. Still just a baby at the time, Bubbles quickly became a constant companion to the King of Pop, living alongside him at his homes and joining him on travels around the world.

But as Bubbles grew older, his size and strength made it increasingly difficult — and unsafe — for him to remain in a domestic environment. Eventually, he was relocated to live permanently with Dunn, though Jackson continued to visit him.

“Bubbles definitely missed him when they parted,” Dunn said, per The Telegraph. “The last time Michael visited, Bubbles definitely recognized and remembered him.”

In 2005, Bubbles made another transition — this time to the Center for Great Apes in Florida.

So, where is Bubbles now? Here's everything to know about where Michael Jackson's famous chimpanzee is today.

Bubbles was born in 1983

Bubbles.Credit: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Bubbles was born at a biomedical research facility in Austin, Texas, in 1983, and was still an infant when Dunn acquired him for Jackson, per the Center for Great Apes.

Dunn later said the King of Pop viewed Bubbles as his “first child,” describing the pair as “close friends and playmates,” per The Telegraph.

Bubbles lived with Michael Jackson for many years

Bubbles and Michael Jackson in Japan in 1987.Credit: Sankei Archive via Getty

Bubbles spent his early years at the singer's Encino, Calif., home before moving with him to Neverland Ranch in 1988, where he was often kept close — even sleeping in Jackson's bedroom.

As Jackson's fame soared, so did Bubbles'. The chimpanzee was a constant presence by his side — popping up on music video sets, at press events and even on a 1987 promotional tour in Japan, where he charmed fans at just 4 years old.

But as Bubbles matured, he became too strong and unpredictable to remain a household pet, with Jackson calling him "pugnacious" in the 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson. Bubbles eventually moved out of Jackson's care and was placed with Dunn.

Bubbles met several celebrities

Bubbles in 1988.Credit: Michelson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

During Bubbles' time with Jackson, the famous chimpanzee had his fair share of celebrity run-ins.

In August 2017, Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, recalled meeting Bubbles as a child during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

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“[Bubbles] was great. There were a few different chimps that I remember," she said. "I don't remember which one is which. I remember one pulling on my curtains in my house, and then one went to school with me one time, which was pretty cool."

In April 2024, Jon Bon Jovi told Jimmy Kimmel that he once partied with Bubbles in a Tokyo hotel room, adding that the chimp was "jumping on the bed" and "putting on a show."

Not all encounters were as fond. Rashida Jones was once bitten by Bubbles while visiting Jackson with her father, Quincy Jones.

"[Bubbles] was a pain in the ass. He bit Rashida. My poor baby," Quincy recalled to GQ in January 2018. "I was angry."

Where is Bubbles now?

Bubbles at the Center for Great Apes.Credit: Center for Great Apes/Facebook

Bubbles now lives at the Center for Great Apes, a sanctuary in Wauchula, Fla. He moved there in 2005 after his longtime caretaker, Dunn, retired from animal training.

In June 2009, director Patti Ragan told PEOPLE that Bubbles' favorite activities included eating sweet potatoes, listening to flute-and-guitar music and painting. In fact, in July 2017, Bubbles starred in an “Apes that Paint” art show and fundraiser for the center.

In April 2026, Ragan told Variety that the Jackson estate continues to help fund Bubbles' care at the Center for Great Apes, where he remains today.

“He's such a sweet, sweet guy,” Ragan said of Bubbles. “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. Bubbles helped raise two babies when he came here.”

Ragan added that while Bubbles now spends much of his time napping, he still has a playful side — especially when it comes to backpacks with Velcro.

“He likes to put his treasures in them and carry them around,” she said.

Bubbles is depicted in the biopic Michael, which premiered on April 24. However, director Antoine Fuqua made the conscious decision to use CGI to portray the chimpanzee.

“We have had continuing constructive dialogue with PETA about the portrayal of Bubbles the chimpanzee as a pet,” Lionsgate said in a statement. “This portrayal is simply based on historical fact and is not intended to be an endorsement of keeping chimpanzees as pets."

The statement continued, "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.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”