Cheetah celebrates his 74th Birthday

I always wondered whatever happened to Cheetah, Tarzan's legendary chimpaqnzee. I thought he had probably died years ago. I grew up watching the adventures of Tarzan and Cheetah, Jane and Boy. Imagine my surprise when I heard on the news last Tuesday, April 11th, that the lovable chimp was celebrating his 74th birthday in the company of one of his grandchildren and various friends, in Hollywood style among photographers, speaches, but without the company of the man who gave him fame, Johnny Weismuller, who died in 1984. Cheetah starred in 12 Tarzan movies.

Another thing is I always thought Cheetah was a female. But now I know Cheetah is a male chimpanzee.

For decades he has been living in a refuge mansion in Palm Springs, California. Hollywood stars retire in the oasis of Palm Springs, California where they while away their golden years splashing paint on canvases, taking leisurely strolls, playing the piano, and flipping through the pages of magazines. Such is the life of 74-year-old Cheeta. His friend and keeper, Dan Westfall, who cares for Cheeta and several other retired showbiz primates at the Cheeta Primate Foundation in Palm Springs, mentioned that among this legend's favorite activities are watching television and, of course, monkeying around. Cheeta now spends his days socializing with other apes and human caregivers. At times he seems fascinated by looking at other animals on television and in the pages of magazines like National Geographic.

Westfall says that Cheeta has developed a particular talent as an abstract artist and has trademarked Cheeta's creations as "Ape-stract." Cheeta uses a paintbrush and bright colors for his creations which are full of sweeps, swirls, and straight lines. "They are very pretty, actually," said Westfall, who sells his companion's work for $125 a piece. The proceeds go to support the Cheeta Primate Foundation, which Westfall started to raise money for unwanted showbiz animals.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Cheetah is the oldest chimpanzee in the world. He belongs to a species that usually lives some forty years, but in captivity could live up to 60 years.

Cheetah's last appearance in a film was in 1967 next to Rex Harrison in "Dr. Doolittle." His excesses in Hollywood have taken their toll in the long life of this primate who used to smoke cigars and drink beer, but now has to take insulin due to diabetis and has to follow a fresh fruit and vegetables diet.