Cheetah the chimp, the Hollywood monkey who “acted” in Tarzan films in the 1930s has died aged 80, according to the sanctuary where he spent his last days.
Kidney failure was responsible for the primate’s death, according to Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Cheetah the chimp had an unusually long life: chimps in captivity have an average life expectancy of 30-45 years.
The talented chimp reportedly loved fingerpainting, football and nondenominational Christian music, according to Debbie Cobb, the sanctuary's outreach director.
The chimp had been living in Palm Harbour since the 1960s, when he was transferred from Johnny Weissmuller’s estate.
There have been claims that other chimps also acted in the 1930’s Tarzan film, starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan. It is possible that a number of chimpanzees were used for the hit movies.
Apparently Cheetah had a number of other unusual talents, including the ability to throw his own dung at people who he disliked:
"When he didn't like somebody or something that was going on, he would pick up some poop and throw it at them," sanctuary volunteer Ron Priest reminisced:
"He could get you at 30 feet [9m] with bars in between."
Cheetah stood out at the sanctuary because he was able to stand up, unlike the other chimps. Cobb believed he was “in-tune” with human feelings.
He was very compassionate," Cobb said. "He could tell if I was having a good day or a bad day. He was always trying to get me to laugh if he thought I was having a bad day.
