Tarzan's Cheeta's Life as a Retired Movie Star

national geographic ^ | 5.15.03 | John Roach

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[In his earlier years Cheeta had a penchant for beer and cigars, reportedly drinking several cold ones a day....]

[Westfall and Karajerjian said booze and smoke have not been a part of the old chimp's life since he came into their care ten years ago. "Where he lives now nobody smokes and drinks," said Karajerjian. "I hate smoking and drinking and so why would I offer it to apes?"]

IMO, depriving Cheeta of his obvious enjoyment of beer and cigars is animal cruelty. Where the heck is PETA????

PS: Where can I buy Cheeta's art from his beer swilling and stogie puffing period?

[Slyfox]

I remember reading that Cheetah did not like the gal who played Jane in the Tarzan movies. Hmmm...

[FastCoyote]

"Would you go to a movie if you knew the child actors had been kidnapped and been forced through abuse by their kidnappers to perform silly, demeaning acts?"

---

hell yes, that's why I like Malcom in the Middle on TV. It would be even better if they were made into mindless chimps like Drew Barrymore.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Stated: "Would you go to a movie if you knew the child actors had been kidnapped and been forced through abuse by their kidnappers to perform silly, demeaning acts?" asks Roger Fouts, co-director of the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University in Ellensburg."

Response: I still believe that whipping would eliminate this nonsense.The lack of whipping, dunking, the stocks and the pillory indicate a social flaw.

[silent star]

Could be that Cheeta's art is superior to yours....

[silent star]

My wife and I were in Palm Springs last week and had the privilege to visit Cheeta and his grandson Jeter and some orangutans, spider monkey and a baboon...we bought a painting! My wife, a painter, said afterwards, "I can't believe we bought a painting by a chimpanzee!" We both liked the same one...which was serendipitous. Dan Westfall was a perfect host. We spent two hours with he and the primates. Cheeta, as you know, is the world's oldest primate (not counting Charlton Heston) and is still in good humor and condition. I took photos, toured the home and primate compound, played with Dan's three dogs and one cat and had a completely enjoyable time. Cheeta's doing just fine.

[Fatalis]

Whatever happened to Lancelot Link?

[Xenalyte]

"Would you go to a movie if you knew the child actors had been kidnapped and been forced through abuse by their kidnappers to perform silly, demeaning acts?" asks Roger Fouts, co-director of the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

That is the ONLY way I'd see a movie featuring child actors. They are horrible and act as if they're reading the script off the backs of their eyelids. Think of that repulsive kid from the original Willard. Macaulay Culkin would also suffice. Or the ever-dreadful Quinn Cummings.

Haley Joel Osment excepted, of course, along with Henry Thomas. They were fabulous.

[TheLion]

Thanks for that info. Sounds like you all had a good time out there.

Would be cool if you could post a picture of the painting.

Did Westfall, by any chance, say how long they expect Cheeta will be with us?

[TheLion]

Here he is enjoying "Ape-stract."

[GreenHornet]

Whatever happened to Lancelot Link?

He went the way many of the stars of the 60s/early 70s did, trying to follow up on his initial television success: Filmed a few failed pilots, made some guest appearances on the variety and game shows of the day, did some voice-over work. Lost most of his earnings after an ill-fated incestment as a part owner of a World Football League franchise. After that, Toured in a few off-broadway productions, then surfaced from time to time on infomercials as a source of income. Now lives in semi-retirement.