Tarzan’s Chimp, Cheetah, Dead at 80 [Video]

The chimpanzee that starred in the “Tarzan” films of the 1930s has passed away. Tarzan’s chimp, Cheetah, died at the age of 80 at the Florida sanctuary where he had lived for more than 50 years.

Cheetah starred alongside Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan in classic movies like “Tarzan The Ape Man” (1932) and “Tarzan And His Mate” (1934).

The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor said on its website:

“It is with great sadness that the community has lost a dear friend and family member… Cheetah, star of the Tarzan films, passed away after kidney failure during the week of December 19, 2011.”

According to ABC, Tarzan’s chimp spent his final days finger painting, watching football, and listening to music.

Debbie Cobb, Cheetah’s trainer, 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. He was very in tune to human feelings.”

Here’s a video of Tarzan’s chimp, Cheetah, from his 75th birthday.

Cheetah died of kidney failure at the age of 80. According to the Global Post, the average age of a chimpanzee in the wild is 45.