For decades, a small stuffed gray monkey quietly traveled the world with one of the most renowned primatologists of all time.
He wasn’t alive — but his story was full of life, hope, and inspiration.
Right now, the world is mourning Jane Goodall, the woman who revolutionized our understanding of nature — and especially chimpanzees. A British primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist, Goodall rose to international fame for her groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania.
She was the first researcher to discover that chimpanzees use tools. She also revealed that they hunt, kill, and eat other animals.
Now, as the world mourns an extraordinary lady, the tale of her loyal plush companion, Mr. H, has also captured hearts everywhere.
The surprising backstory
In 2016, Jane Goodall Institute Canada volunteer Agata Gutkowska shared the surprising backstory of Mr. H. This small gray monkey had accompanied Goodall to over 60 countries, becoming far more than a toy — it was a symbol of strength.
”Mr. H is as cultured as he is adorable. He also happens to be Jane Goodall’s famous sidekick, accompanying her on all her travel adventures, whether she’s visiting a chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa or giving a lecture in Toronto,” Gutkowska wrote.
Mr. H entered Goodall’s life in 1996 as a birthday gift from Gary Haun, a former U.S. Marine who had lost his sight in a helicopter crash. Haun defied the odds, reinventing himself as a magician who amazed audiences despite his blindness.
Inspired by her friend’s perseverance, Goodall transformed Mr. H from a birthday gift into a traveling mascot of hope for the Jane Goodall Institute.
”The hope and inspiration that Mr. H represents rubs off on every person who touches him,” Gutkowska added.
Mr. H in the spotlight
Mr. H wasn’t just a traveling companion — he was a star in his own right. On her 2019 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Goodall cradled the plush monkey while sharing his story:
”Mr. H was given to me 29 years ago for my birthday by a man called Gary Haun, which is why he’s Mr. H,” she told Fallon.
She explained how Haun defied expectations, saying, ”the kids don’t know he’s blind.” She recounted his mantra: ”If something goes wrong in your life, don’t give up. There’s always a way forward.”
By then, Mr. H had accompanied Goodall to 65 countries, a fact she proudly shared on air.
Fallon, caught up in the monkey’s charm, joked, ”I should have said, ‘Hi.’ I’m sorry. I didn’t say hello and shake your hand. Hi, Mr. H. Thank you so much for coming on our show. We really appreciate this.”
Mr. H’s impact went far beyond the stage. From children asking why a world-famous primatologist carried a stuffed monkey to audiences across continents, he became a symbol of hope, perseverance, and kindness.
In a 2024 Instagram post, Goodall explained: ”The reason I carry him with me is because he is my little mascot.”
She shared photos of Mr. H at unforgettable moments — standing with Kofi Annan at the UN, reaching out to children, and celebrating Goodall’s lifetime of work.
Goodall also addressed a common misconception— that she carries Mr. H because he’s a chimpanzee. She clarified that the plush isn’t a chimp at all, pointing out that he has a tail.
Jane Goodall passed away peacefully in her sleep while in Los Angeles, California, on a U.S. speaking tour.
Most likely, Mr. H was nearby, as he accompanied her on every tour.
“He’s a symbol of the indomitable human spirit,” said Dr. Jane Goodall of the stuffed monkey when she introduced Mr. H to the audience at the 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit in New York City just days before her passing.
Mr. H Junior
For fans who want a piece of this inspiring story, a miniature version of the plush monkey, Mr. H Junior, is available through Goodall’s official Good for All Goods shop. Standing 7.5 inches tall and four inches wide, handcrafted in the U.S. with ethical standards, Mr. H Junior is designed to resemble his famous namesake.
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