Legendary Chimp ‘Cheetah’ From Tarzan Movies Dies at 80 [VIDEOS]

Cheetah, the chimp who starred in the Tarzan films of the 1930s, has died in the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor, FL of kidney failure at the age of 80.

The beloved ape moved into the sanctuary in 1960 after living on the estate of Johnny Weissmuller, who had portrayed Tarzan in the films.

Sanctuary outreach director Debbie Cobb described Cheetah as an outgoing chimp who enjoyed finger painting and interacting with humans. Another sanctuary employee added that while Cheetah wasn’t a “trouble maker,” the famous ape also wasn’t above throwing his droppings when he didn’t get his way. Bad Cheetah!

See the Hollywood legend in action below.

Cheetah hamming up in ‘Tarzan’

Cheetah at the Suncoast Sanctuary last year

[via CBS]