15 famous monkeys that left their mark on pop culture history
Monkeys and apes have been featured in pop culture, becoming symbols of entertainment and cultural influence. Famous monkeys like King Kong, Curious George, Donkey Kong, and Rafiki have all left an unforgettable mark, captivating audiences with their charm, wit, and unique personalities.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Some famous cartoon monkeys include Mojo Jojo from The Powerpuff Girls and Abu in Aladdin.
- Famous primates from TV shows include Marcel from Friends, Clyde in Every Which Way But Loose, and Crystal in The Hangover Part II.
- The King of Pop, Michael Jackson's beloved monkey Bubbles, also connected with fans, making him a pop culture legend.
Famous monkeys in pop culture
This list of famous monkeys in pop culture is compiled from reputable media sources, historical accounts, and public records. Monkeys are classified as ‘famous’ based on factors such as their prominence in films, television, literature, or advertising; cultural impact; recognisability; and lasting popularity among audiences.
| Character | Iconic film |
| King Kong | King Kong |
| Jack the Monkey | Pirates of the Caribbean |
| Cheetah | Tarzan |
| Curious George | Curious George |
| Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong |
| Marcel | Friends |
| Joe | Mighty Joe Young |
| Rafiki | The Lion King |
| Clyde | Every Which Way But Loose |
| Bubbles | Michael Jackson's pet |
| Crystal | The Hangover Part II |
| Mojo Jojo | The Powerpuff Girls |
| Sun Wukong | Black Myth: Wukong |
| Dr. Zaius | Planet of the Apes |
| Abu | Aladdin |
1. King Kong
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Gorillas
- Creator: Merian C. Cooper
- First appearance: King Kong (1933)
- Voiced by: Andy Serkis
King Kong is a gigantic ape who first appeared in the 1933 movie King Kong by American filmmaker Merian C. Cooper. He is a strong and intelligent gorilla living in a hidden place called Skull Island with other big monsters. Kong's fame comes from the emotional story of the giant ape, who was terrifying and protective.
2. Jack the Monkey
Source: UGC
- Species: Capuchin
- Creator: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio
- First appearance: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
- Voiced by: Tara, Levi
Jack the Monkey is a mischievous capuchin monkey from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The character first appeared in the 2003 film The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Jack is known for adding humour, supernatural intrigue, and being the loving sidekick to Captain Hector Barbossa. He is one of the famous monkeys because he appears in almost all the Pirates movies.
3. Cheetah
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Chimpanzee
- Creator: Edgar Rice Burroughs
- First appearance: Tarzan the Fearless (1932)
- Played by: Jiggs, Michael Harran
Cheetah, the famous chimpanzee, starred in the Tarzan movie series. He is Tarzan's funny and faithful sidekick who first appeared in films in the 1930s. Cheetah's job in the Tarzan films was to make people laugh and help Tarzan, portrayed by Johnny Weissmuller, out. Interesting, the character was not in the original Tarzan books but was created for the movies.
4. Curious George
Source: UGC
- Species: Barbary macaque, chimpanzee
- Creator: Hans Augusto Rey, Margret Rey
- First appearance: Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys (1939)
- Voiced by: Frank Welker
Curious George, the beloved animated monkey, has captivated kids for decades through books, TV shows, and movies. The character's self-titled book was published in 1941.
Curious George's popularity stems from his curious and mischievous nature and the spirit of childhood exploration. George has educated and entertained kids across the globe, making him one of the popular monkeys.
5. Donkey Kong
Source: UGC
- Species: Gorillas, Apes, Kong
- Creator: Shigeru Miyamoto
- First appearance: Donkey Kong (1981)
- Voiced by: Grant Kirkhope, Seth Rogen
Donkey Kong is a famous video game character from Nintendo. Shigeru Miyamoto created him, and he showed up in 1981 as the bad guy in the Donkey Kong arcade game. The character was a big, mischievous gorilla who kidnapped Mario's girlfriend, Pauline. Kong brought video game monkeys to global fame.
6. Rafiki
Source: UGC
- Species: Monkey
- Creator: Linda Woolverton, Jonathan Roberts, Irene Mecchi
- First appearance: The Lion King (1994)
- Voiced by: John Kani
Rafiki is one of the famous cartoon monkeys who appeared in Disney's animation The Lion King. His name means "friend" in Swahili, which fits him, since he's always there to help and offer sound advice. Rafiki is famous for helping Simba understand who he truly is by showing him his father, Mufasa's ghost.
7. Marcel
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Capuchin
- Creators: David Crane, Marta Kauffman
- First appearance: Friends (1994)
- Played by: Katie
Marcel, the adorable white-headed capuchin monkey named Katie, was Ross Geller's pet on the American sitcom Friends. She appeared during the first season when Ross adopted her after his divorce for company.
Marcel quickly became a fan favourite because of her playful antics and love for the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. According to her IMDb profile, Marcel became a famous actress.
8. Mighty Joe Young
Source: UGC
- Species: Gorilla
- Creator: Rick Baker
- First appearance: Mighty Joe Young (1949)
- Played by: Joe
Mighty Joe Young is one of the famous male monkeys. The fictional giant gorilla hero starred in two movies with the same name in 1949 and a remake in 1998. The character is a massive mountain gorilla raised from a baby by American actress Charlize Theron, who plays Jill Young in Africa. As he grows, Joe gets huge, becoming a truly enormous ape.
9. Clyde
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Orangutan
- Creator: Jeremy Joe Kronsberg
- First appearance: Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
- Played by: Manis
Clyde is one of the famous monkeys from the movies. The orangutan starred in the 1978 movie Every Which Way But Loose, starring American actor and film director Clint Eastwood. He is the pet and sidekick of Philo Beddoe, portrayed by Eastwood, who is a trucker and a bare-knuckle fighter.
10. Bubbles
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Chimpanzee
- Owner: Michael Jackson
- First appearance: Texas research facility (1983)
- Appeared in: Liberian Girl
Bubbles is the famous chimpanzee who was once Michael Jackson's pet. He was adopted in 1983 from a Texas research centre. Bubbles became widely known for appearing in Jackson's music videos and travelling with Jackson on the Bad World Tour. The chimpanzee shared a close bond with the American singer at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
11. Crystal
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Capuchin
- Creator: Craig Mazin, Scot Armstrong, Todd Phillips
- First appearance: The Hangover Part II (2011)
- Played by: Crystal the Monkey
Crystal, a capuchin monkey, is one of the famous monkeys from the movies. She became well-known for her role in The Hangover Part II. Crystal played a hilarious, drug-dealing monkey in the film. The talented animal actress has been in over 30 films, including Night at the Museum and Zookeeper. Renowned comedian and actor Ken Jeong described her as one of the best actors he's ever worked with.
12. Mojo Jojo
Source: UGC
- Species: Chimpanzee
- Creator: Craig McCracken
- First appearance: The Powerpuff Girls (1998)
- Voiced by: Roger L. Jackson
Mojo Jojo is among the famous cartoon monkeys and the main antagonist in The Powerpuff Girls. He is an intelligent chimpanzee with a big brain who was created by the same accident that made the Powerpuff Girls. Mojo Jojo is always in his green suit and special helmet. Even though he's a bad guy, he's also a memorable and funny character.
13. Sun Wukong
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Macaque
- Creator: Wu Cheng'en
- First appearance: Journey to the West (16th Century)
- Played by: Liu Xiao Ling Tong, Stephen Chow, Donnie Yen, Aaron Kwok
Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a legendary figure from Chinese mythology. He is a main character in the classic novel Journey to the West. Wukong protects a monk on a sacred trip. The character has also inspired many modern adaptations, including Dragon Ball's Goku.
14. Dr. Zaius
Source: Getty Images
- Species: Orangutan
- Creator: Pierre Boulle
- First appearance: Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Played by: Maurice Evans
Dr. Zaius is one of the famous male monkey characters and a prominent fictional character from Planet of the Apes. He is an orangutan who is both a scientist and a religious leader. Dr. Zaius is an essential figure in the Planet of the Apes story, making him an iconic monkey in pop culture.
15. Abu
Source: UGC
- Species: Capuchin
- Creator: Joe Grant
- First appearance: Aladdin (1992)
- Voiced by: Frank Welker
Abu is a famous monkey from Disney's 1992 movie Aladdin, portrayed by voice actor Frank Welker. He is a tiny, loyal, naughty capuchin who loves stealing things but is also Aladdin's pet and best friend. The capuchin is known for being quick-witted and clever, even though his love for shiny objects sometimes gets him into trouble.
Who is the most famous monkey?
King Kong is the most famous monkey in pop culture. He is arguably the most influential fictional monkey. His influence in the entertainment industry is undeniable, and his character is known to be intelligent.
Who is the famous monkey in movies?
Many famous monkeys have starred in movies, including Jack from Pirates of the Caribbean, Jonny the Monkey from Borat, and Rafiki from The Lion King.
These famous monkeys have captured many hearts in pop culture, becoming unforgettable icons. Whether it's Curious George's innocent mischief or King Kong's mighty roar, these famous primates bring their special charm to pop culture.
Legit.ng published an article about iconic public domain characters. Public domain characters offer unique creativity to filmmakers, artists, and storytellers without restrictions. These characters can be heroes or villains.
Prominent public domain characters include well-known characters like Dracula, Frankenstein, Cinderella, and Robin Hood. Although the original character can be used freely, adaptations might be under copyright restrictions. Discover more public domain characters you can use freely.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
