The ape and the athlete

For many, actor Johnny Weissmueller is known by one name only, Tarzan. But, the man was much more than a single film character. Born into a poor family in Freidorf (now Romania), he won three gold medals for the U.S. at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, becoming the first man to swim 100 meters in less than a minute. Yet, after becoming a Hollywood sex symbol, Weissmueller found himself a prisoner of his own movie star identity, moving from his role as Lord of the Apes to that of Jungle Jim for both the big screen and TV. Labled one of the worst actors of all time, Weissmueller went through several marriages and eventually lost his fortune before dying in obscurity 20 years ago in Acapulco, Mexico.

March 1, 2004

For many, actor Johnny Weissmueller is known by one name only, Tarzan. But, the man was much more than a single film character. Born into a poor family in Freidorf (now Romania), he won three gold medals for the U.S. at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, becoming the first man to swim 100 meters in less than a minute. Yet, after becoming a Hollywood sex symbol, Weissmueller found himself a prisoner of his own movie star identity, moving from his role as Lord of the Apes to that of Jungle Jim for both the big screen and TV. Labled one of the worst actors of all time, Weissmueller went through several marriages and eventually lost his fortune before dying in obscurity 20 years ago in Acapulco, Mexico.