‘Cheetah' the Chimp, Star of Tarzan Films Has Died

Cheetah loved women, but didn't care for men that much

"Cheetah" the chimpanzee, who starred in Tarzan films from 1932 to 1934, has died.

Debbie Cobb, outreach coordinator for animals and people at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor, told NBC Miami  that the chimp died on Dec. 24 from kidney failure. He was about 80 years old.

Cheetah, who was born sometime between 1929 and 1930, came to the center in the 1960s, Cobb said.

"He was very outgoing ... very personable," she said. "Loved women. Didn't care for men that much. Loved to fingerpaint."

In the wild, chimps can lived up to around 35 years and in captivity around 45 years, Cobb said.

She said he had been brought to the sanctuary from Ocala, but it wasn't clear who had him.

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