Crystal the Monkey
- Actress
Crystal the Monkey is no small bananas. In just five of her movies, she
holds a box office gross of over $2.5 Billion. Her film, "Hangover 2"
opened at $177.8 Million, the largest opening weekend in history for a
comedy. She has worked with some of the biggest directors in Hollywood.
She has held her own with Oscar Winners, stole scenes from top
comedians and is beloved with the press as she commands Red Carpets.
Paired with her extraordinary trainer, Tom Gunderson, she began in the
business at the live animal show at Universal Studios. In 1997, she appeared
in her first film "George of the Jungle." In 2007, with over 20 features to her name
came her big break came in "Night at the Museum" with Ben Stiller. With her naughty
character, Dexter, she proved herself as not just a trained animal, but as an actor.
In the second installment of"Museum" she reprised her role of Dexter and furthered
her range by playing the duel character of Able.
In 2011, Crystal solidified herself as an box-office actress. Beginning with
"Hangover 2" where she was a tour de force as a drug dealing gangster.
Also, starring in "Hangover" was the hilarious actor, Ken Jeong who
said ""She's not a monkey, she's an actor. And quite possibly the best
actor I've worked with." In the USA Today's review by Brian Alexander
he said "one cast member truly stood out: Crystal, a capuchin monkey.
Maybe her name should be Hollywood's Hottest Monkey."
She went onto play Donald the Monkey "Zookeeper" starring Kevin James
with Adam Sandler dubbing her voice. Rounding out the year with Oscar
winner, Matt Damon in "We got a Zoo."
When the new show "Animal Practice" aired in 2012, with Crystal on
their cover, New York Magazine said "NBC's most valuable commodity this
fall: an irresistible, virtuoso capuchin monkey." She played the
adorable sidekick Dr. Rizzo.