Johnny Weissmuller

Romanian-born American swimmer and actor who, as the winner of five Olympic medals and numerous world records, was noted for his performance in 12 Tarzan movies released from 1932 to 1948; Weismuller portrayed the role longer than any other man. The series began in 1918 with the release of "Tarzan of the Apes." Born Jonas Weissmuller, and with no college education, Johnny became a swimming phenomena. From 1921 until he turned professional in 1929 he won every free-style swimming race he entered. Under the sponsorship for the Illinois Athletic Club he swam on the 1924 and 1928 Olympic teams and won five Gold Medals, breaking a world record in each race. He won an incredible number of other records and titles. After making a number of short sport films, he was spotted by movie scouts. In 1932, he made his first screen appearance of many in MGM’s "Tarzan, the Ape Man." When he developed a weight problem, he moved from MGM to Columbia to play Jungle Jim in that series. His Columbia contract carried an embarrassing clause that would fine him $5,000 for each pound he gained over contract weight. Since his movie days, he had been vice president of Johnny Weissmuller Swimming Pool Company, with headquarters in Chicago. He commuted between Chicago and his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Weismuller seldom missed a day’s swim. He performed all the stunts in his Tarzan films. He was six feet, three inches tall, and weighed 220 pounds at age 60, though he looked closer to 40. His odd sense of humor was not always appreciated, as when he and his teammates staged a comedy routine at an Olympic swimming race in which he was not competing, or when he turned in a false fire alarm in Coral Gables, Florida. Married five times, his most famous wife was Lupe Velez, the Mexican actress whose quarrels with Weissmuller made headlines. Other wives were Camille Louier, Bobbe Arnst, a dancer, and Beryl Scott, a society girl. His last marriage was to golf champion Allene Gates. He was debilitated by strokes throughout the70s and was troubled by heart disease. He died of a lung blockage on 1/20/1984, Acapulco, Mexico. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less