From: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/...260252,00.html

Monkeying Around
Updated: 10:40, Thursday April 12, 2007

Cheeta - the star of the Tarzan movies in the 1930s - has celebrated turning 75 with a special party.

The chimp, who appeared opposite Johnny Weissmuller in 12 films, is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest chimpanzee.

Most chimps rarely live past 40 in the wild.

Cheeta was born in Liberia in 1932 and also starred in the 1967 film Dr Doolittle with Rex Harrison.

He celebrated his birthday with diet coke and sugar-free cake as he is now diabetic.

Since retiring from the film business Cheeta has been kept by US primate sanctuary owner Dan Westfall, who was given him by an uncle who was a Hollywood animal trainer in the 1930s.

Last year he received the first award of his career - an International Comedy Film Festival of Peniscola prize.



Who Wishes Cheeta the Chimp a Happy Birthday?!!!


KNR

Happy birthday Cheeta! xxx

I found a YoutTube Video of Cheeta's Birthday Party!

YouTube - Cheeta's Birthday Party

Awwww, crikey, that's some age for a chimp.

I wish him a very happy birthday.

Like an Englishman?!!!!

That was amost 2 years ago.

Cheeta will be turning 77 shortly.

3X3

Chimps and Monkeys are my least favourite animals - they are just so weird ! I would never hurt one though.

Happy Birthday To Cheeta. He had alot of talent and he is blessed to have a longevity of his kind. I have all Tarzan's films, and I appreciate the info. Again, many thanks.

Today, however, the Los Angeles Times published a story that has rocked the celebrity-animal world, suggesting that this particular chimpanzee, who has earned legions of fans around the world and whose "ape-stract" paintings sell online for $135 a pop, may not be who everyone believes he is. In fact, according to an author whose research the Times cites, he's most likely a roughly 50-year-old chimp who has never been in any movies whatsoever. Cheeta's trainer, Dan Westfall, has refused to comment on the allegation -- and, whatever the truth may be, it should be said that Westfall is a nice man who has selflessly devoted himself to caring for elderly primates. from the web, dated 13th feb 2009

Wiki lists a whole load of chimps that have all been used as 'Cheeta' in films...... so I think it is a bit doubtful if there really is a chimp alive at the age of 70 something.
Beautiful animals though, and so intelligent.

Originally Posted by sphinx Wiki lists a whole load of chimps that have all been used as 'Cheeta' in films...... so I think it is a bit doubtful if there really is a chimp alive at the age of 70 something.

I wondered about that !