Unveiling the Untold Secrets of Mike Smith: Fascinating Insights into the Trailer Park Boys Actor

Bubbles, with his quirky and amusing personality, along with his thick glasses, has become the breakout character of Trailer Park Boys. There are numerous fascinating facts to discover about the actor who portrays him, Mike Smith. Bubbles's passive-aggressive nature shines through in his comically profanity-filled quotes, adding to his appeal. Alongside his friends Ricky and Julian, Bubbles engages in a series of misadventures, solidifying his status as a pop culture icon. From the original run of Trailer Park Boys to the movies and even spinoffs like the animated series, Bubbles has become synonymous with the mockumentary series, just as the actor who portrays him has. Aside from his portrayal of Bubbles, Mike Smith is also recognized as one of the founders of the television network Swearnet, which led to its own film in 2014. Collaborating with his Trailer Park Boys co-stars Robb Wells and John Paul Tremblay, Smith has successfully established himself in the entertainment industry beyond his Bubbles persona. Additionally, Smith has ventured into various non-acting pursuits, including music, entrepreneurship, and providing assistance to Trailer Park Boys fans. Furthermore, his extensive involvement with Trailer Park Boys unveils intriguing behind-the-scenes trivia known only to a select few fans of his character.

10 Bubbles Originally Started Out As Cart Boy

Before the creation of Bubbles, there existed a character known as Cart Boy. Mike Smith, a close friend of the Trailer Park Boys creator, showcased his comedic timing in Mike Clattenburg's 1995 short film The Cart Boy. This early acting credit, mentioned on Smith's IMDb page, highlighted his resemblance to Bubbles. The bespectacled character portrayed by Smith would often pilfer shopping carts, much to the chagrin of two mall security guards played by Robb Wells and John Paul Tremblay, who later took on the roles of Ricky and Julian, Bubbles's fellow residents in Sunnyvale. Therefore, this 10-minute short served as a precursor to Smith's career-defining role.

9 Mike Smith Made Voice Cameos In Archer & A Stoner Comedy

While Mike Smith also portrayed the character of Bubbles in Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series, he had already dabbled in voice acting prior to this role. In fact, he had a guest appearance on one episode of Archer, a popular animated spy satire. Archer has a history of featuring renowned actors in unexpected cameo roles, making it challenging to keep track of them all. In season 3, Smith lent his voice to a Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), delivering a more authoritative tone compared to his portrayal of Bubbles. This cameo by Smith may go unnoticed by some due to its subtle nature. Additionally, Smith provided the voice for a bong in the 2015 stoner comedy Dude, Where's My Ferret.

8 Mike Smith Gets Into Car Accidents On Set

Like the other main characters in Trailer Park Boys, Bubbles is known for his reckless driving throughout the show. Actor Mike Smith, who portrays Bubbles, has also experienced a few real-life car accidents while on set. According to Smith, most of these mishaps occurred because he couldn't see anything through Bubbles' distinctive glasses. Therefore, when Bubbles crashed a go-kart into a fence and a tree in season 5, it was an actual accident. Fortunately, Smith himself was not injured. During the earlier seasons, there were no safety teams present, so Smith relied on a walkie-talkie that he carried while driving. Whenever he was about to crash, he would shout into the walkie-talkie to alert the crew.

Mike Smith, known for his role as Bubbles in Trailer Park Boys, had a musical background before venturing into acting. He showcased his guitar skills occasionally in the show, reflecting his previous career as a musician. From 1993 to 1998, Smith served as a guitarist for Sandbox, a Canadian alternative rock band that was nominated for a Juno Award. In a 1996 interview, Smith mentioned how he and his bandmates used to receive fan mail, highlighting their growing popularity. Despite not winning the Best New Artist award at the Junos, Smith was satisfied with his musical journey. Sandbox released two albums before disbanding in 1998.

6 Mike Smith's Past Jobs Include Sound Mixer, Cableman & Production Assistant

Mike Smith has been a prominent figure in the Trailer Park Boys film series, as well as in Swearnet: The Movie. He has also made appearances in other notable projects, such as the sports comedy Champions and the documentary Being Canadian. In addition to his acting roles, Smith has contributed his skills as a sound mixer to films like the Kathryn Bigelow thriller The Weight of Water and the romantic comedy Love That Boy. He also worked as a sound cableman on the romantic comedy Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, and served as a production assistant on the sports comedy Goon.

5 Mike Smith Has Owned Two Bars

Bubble’s Mansion, a Bubbles-themed bar and eatery, was launched by Mike Smith in 2006 in Downtown Halifax. However, the establishment only operated for four years before its closure in 2010. The main reason behind its closure was the government's decision to increase drinking prices and wages, making it unable to compete with other bars. In 2008, Smith also became a co-owner of another bar called Bubba’s Rays, a sports bar located in Halifax, which has also closed since then.

4 Mike Smith Saved A Fan's Life

The Bubbles actor from the show not only provides entertainment, but also offers assistance in real life. One notable instance of this occurred in 2019 when Mike Smith organized a fundraising campaign to help a devoted Trailer Park Boys fan. According to CTV News, Tom Termeer, a resident of London, was suffering from Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias, a debilitating condition that causes severe and chronic headaches. Despite undergoing four brain surgeries, the pain persisted. When Termeer found himself with no resources left for further treatment, Smith stepped in and initiated a crowdfunding campaign that successfully raised over $10,000.

These funds were utilized to cover Termeer's medical expenses and to undergo a stem cell procedure that ultimately cured him of his condition. Termeer expressed his gratitude to Smith, stating, "Mike saved my life. Wholeheartedly, 100 percent, he saved my life," in an interview with Global News. The operation was truly life-changing for the London resident, who had endured headaches for a staggering 14 years. Following his recovery, the dedicated Trailer Park Boys fan had the opportunity to spend time with Smith and the other cast members. Termeer even made an appearance on an episode of the Swearnet podcast Park After Dark, where he discussed what he described as "the world's most painful disease" and how Smith had come to his aid.

3 Mike Smith Performed At Guns N' Roses Concerts

Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has developed a strong fascination with the character portrayed by Mike Smith in the TV show Trailer Park Boys. According to Metal Injection, Rose's admiration for Bubbles even led to Smith performing and singing in character at several Guns N' Roses concerts during the 2000s, donning the signature glasses and plaid shirt. In addition, he collaborated with rapper Snoop Dogg, appearing as Bubbles in two episodes of Dogg’s chat show GGN: Snoop Dogg's Guide Double G News Network.

2 Mike Smith Voiced Another Trailer Park Boys Character

While it is widely known that Mike Smith portrays various alter egos of Bubbles, including the puppet Conky, only devoted fans of the Trailer Park Boys would be aware that he also lends his voice to Donny. Donny primarily appears as an off-screen character on the show, frequently hurling profanities and insults at Bubbles and his friends. Although Donny's true identity is partially revealed in later episodes, with his face blurred out, actor Dino Ninos serves as the body double for the character, while Smith continues to provide the voice.

1 Bubbles' Glasses Used To Give Mike Smith Headaches

The origin of Bubbles' glasses can be traced back to the original Trailer Park Boys movie in 1999, where Mike Smith wore a similar pair. In an article for Sharp magazine, Smith revealed that his then-girlfriend gifted him these glasses, and it was during this time that Mike Clattenburg decided to cast him as Bubbles after seeing Smith's comedic performance while wearing them. The glasses worn by Bubbles throughout the show are not just props; they have actual optical power. Initially, filming with these glasses caused Smith severe headaches. However, in an interview with The Big Issue in 2013, Smith mentioned that he no longer experiences these headaches and his brain has somehow adapted to the discomfort.