Warning: Very minor spoilers ahead forBad Monkey’s double-episode premiere.
Summary
Bad Monkey’s titular capuchin will be very familiar to TV and movie fans through the years, as she’s appeared in a great many projects.A character in the show suggests Driggs was one of Johnny Depp’s co-starsin thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise, but the monkey’s new owner seems uncertain whether that is indeed the case. The smallest, furriest member of theBad Monkeycastis incredibly experienced in the real world, so the in-show theory could realistically be true. Unfortunately, the claim isn’t ratified in the show, but it can be settled in reality.
With its intriguing premise and dark sense of humor,Bad Monkeyhas the chance to become one of thebest shows on Apple TV+. The quirky character interactions are bolstered perfectly by Driggs' presence. The monkey may not be in every scene, but he certainly captures the eye when he’s in the shot. Well-trained and a consummate professional,the animal actor playing Driggs is an established Hollywood star.
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Crystal The Monkey Has Been In Over 30 Movies & TV Shows Since 1997
George of the Jungle gave Crystal her acting debut
Despite Driggs being male, he is played by a female monkey named Crystal. The well-traveled primate started her acting career in 1997 with an uncredited appearance in Brendan Fraser’sGeorge of the Jungle. Since then,Crystal has gone on to star in other enormous movies such as 1999’sAmerican Pie, as well as being cast in theHangoverfranchise and all threeNight at the Museummovies. In terms of TV shows, Crystal has popped up in sitcoms likeMalcolm in the MiddleandCommunity.
While it’s still possible that Driggs shared the screen with Captain Jack Sparrow within the world ofBad Monkey, Crystal did not.
Within the universe ofBad Monkey, it’s implied that Crystal’s character was left behind after one of thePirates of the Caribbeanmovies, with his new home becoming the Bahamas. While it’s true thatparts of thePOTCmovies were shot on location in the Bahamas, Crystal’s many credits don’t include this particular franchise. So, while it’s still possible that Driggs shared the screen with Captain Jack Sparrow within the world ofBad Monkey, Crystal did not.
Crystal usually appears in movies instead
Most of Crystal’s acting history has taken place on the big screen. Compared to the amount of movies she has appeared in, her TV credits are in incredibly short supply. In fact,Bad Monkeyis just Crystal’s sixth TV show in which she has starred. As well as the two mentioned earlier, Crystal’s other three TV shows areThe Big Bang Theory,Animal Practice, andI Know This Much is True. The latter on this list was Crystal’s most recent TV role beforeBad Monkey, appearing in two episodes back in 2020.
Malcolm in the Middle
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Before being cast as Driggs,Crystal hadn’t been part of a TV cast since 2013, when she played the hilariously named “Annie’s Boobs” in her seventh and final episode ofCommunity. However, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been busy. During that time, she appeared in 10 different projects, one of which was an MCU short calledAll Hail the Kingthe year after herCommunityexit. Her career’s immediate future beyondBad Monkeyis unclear, but with her set to appear in almost every episode of the Apple TV+ show, there’s evidence she’s still in demand.
Crystal could still live at least another 10 years
At three decades old,Crystal is older than some of her humanBad Monkeyco-stars. According toLA Zoo"A capuchin’s lifespan in the wild is 15 to 25 years." So, Crystal has already lived at least five years longer than some of her wild counterparts. Interestingly, LA Zoo also says that in human care, a capuchin monkey can live for 40 years or more. Crystal’s status as a TV and movie actor firmly places her in the latter category, meaning she could only be roughly three-quarters of the way through her projected lifespan.
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It’s not often that a monkey becomes so famous for so long in show business, and her long life has contributed to her ongoing presence in the public eye through the decades. There’s perhaps onlythe monkey fromFriendswho is more famous - and even Marcel was played by two separate capuchins. It’s currently unknown ifBad Monkeywill return for a second season. Despite being a limited series, it is possible, as several limited series have now become longer-running shows. IfBad Monkeyseason 2 does happen, Crystal’s legend could grow even more.
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Bad Monkey
Cast
A former Miami detective turned health inspector, Andrew Yancy, discovers a severed arm while working in the Florida Keys. Determined to solve the mystery and reclaim his former position, he navigates through a web of quirky locals and corruption, all while dealing with a troublesome monkey.
