5 Cocaine Bear Facts That Will Change The Way You Watch It

Get ready for a fascinating list of 5 facts that will change the way you watch "Cocaine Bear"! First off, did you know that this was Ray Liotta's final film role before his passing on May 26, 2022? He had returned to do some post-production work just a week before his death, making this film even more special.

Secondly, "Cocaine Bear" wasn't the original title for the movie. It was intended to be just a temporary working title. However, the producers found themselves unable to come up with anything better and ultimately decided to release the movie under that name.

The film is inspired in part by a true event that occurred in 1985. A corrupt Kentucky cop named Andrew Thornton dropped packages of cocaine over Georgia during a smuggling run. He tried to escape with almost 80 pounds of cocaine strapped to his body, but his parachute malfunctioned, causing him to fall to his death in Tennessee. Around 40 kilos of cocaine from the drop were eaten by a black bear in a nearby forest, leading to the animal's death from an overdose. Thankfully, no other casualties were reported.

Did you know that the real "cocaine bear," which has also been humorously referred to as "Pablo Escobear," is on display at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall in Lexington, Kentucky? It's a must-see for fans of the movie and anyone interested in this bizarre true story.

And finally, here's some popcorn trivia for you: did you know that director Elizabeth Banks has a cameo in the film? Keep an eye out for her when you watch "Cocaine Bear"!