Bobby Cannavale’s son Jake has given fans an update on the bearded dragon who recently made his father the talk of awards season, and it looks like Benny Blue has adjusted well.
Jake Cannavale, 30, spoke with MY! News at the premiere of his new series Scarpetta on March 3, confirming that he and the family’s new reptile have formed a great bond.
“Oh man, Benny and I are close,” he said. “Benny Blue, the bearded dragon. I love that guy.”
Benny became an unlikely celebrity earlier this year after Bobby skipped the Golden Globes to pick him up, a decision that sparked considerable amusement online.
Jake reflected on how the arrival of the bearded dragon has revealed a softer side to his father, particularly when it comes to animals.
“It’s funny because you know my dad hated pets when he was a kid,” he said. “And now he’s being a dad again, and everything has changed and now he loves animals. It’s so funny.”
Bobby shares sons Rocco, 10, and Rafael, 8, with his partner Rose Byrne.
Jake’s involvement around the house has increased to actual babysitting duties, at least for the lizard.
While Bobby took the kids to Disney, Jake stayed home for a few days to take care of Benny, getting a crash course in bearded dragon care along the way.
“You have to dip the crickets in calcium powder and coat them with vitamins so that the bearded dragon gets its vitamins from the crickets,” he explained.
Despite the insect handling, he described the entire experience as surprisingly therapeutic.
“It’s a very cathartic experience. Because he doesn’t really know what’s going on. And sometimes I think, ‘Wow, that must be so cute, you’re just a lizard in the desert. You don’t even know you’re in a cage right now.'”
