05/12/2022
THE LOSS OF A LEGEND...
A Tribute to Cheeta the Chimp
World's Oldest Living Primate
On May 5th, 2022 the world lost a legend. Cheeta the Chimp was the most famous and beloved chimpanzee of all, bringing great joy and affording millions of people all over the world the chance to re-live wonderful childhood memories of watching and playing “Tarzan and Cheeta”. He was the last of many chimpanzees to play the sidekick to Johnny Weissmuller, legendary Tarzan, in the 1940s films. Cheeta’s role in these movies was to provide comic relief, convey messages between Tarzan and his allies, and occasionally lead Tarzan's other animal friends to the ape-man's rescue.
This legendary old man was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2001 for being the world’s oldest living non-human primate. There is speculation as to exactly how old he was, but he is believed to have been in his early to mid-80s, which is quite elderly since the lifespan of a chimpanzee in captivity is up to 60 years. This is a great testament to the love and care Cheeta was fortunate to have received. For many of his last years he struggled with several health issues including arthritis and diabetes, for which he needed daily insulin shots. Much of his life before he came to live with Dan was unknown, so his exact age and the number of films/productions he was in will always be a Hollywood mystery. On March 31st, 1995 he was honored with a star on the Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, CA in front of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop. Since 2004 there have been several unsuccessful campaigns to secure a star for Cheeta on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the effort is being continued to this day. Both the International Comedy Festival in Spain and Canada’s Space Channel have proudly bestowed him with Lifetime Achievement Awards. He also appeared in various documentaries and was featured in Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine and even had a book written about him.
Cheeta’s story is unique and touching. Years ago, Tony Gentry was employed in the entertainment industry and worked as an animal trainer. Fortunately, he was a kind man and treated his animals well. The story goes that he acquired Cheeta as a baby during a visit to Liberia in West Africa and brought him back to the United States to be used in the entertainment industry, although this cannot be proven, as we only know what Uncle Tony passed along. They became like father and son and spent the rest of Tony’s life together. Rumor had it that Tony sometimes even shared his whiskey and ci**rs with his best pal. When Tony became terminally ill in the late 1980s, he knew Cheeta would outlive him. He was terrified that he would be sent to a laboratory or run down zoo or circus. Believing Cheeta would face a horrible future without him, Tony ordered that his friend be euthanized upon his own death. This was not out of cruelty, but because he loved Cheeta so much that he couldn’t stand the thought of his mistreatment or possible torture, not to mention the loneliness he would have felt without his closest confidant.
Dan Westfall, Tony’s nephew, pleaded with his uncle for many years to let him become Cheeta’s guardian and step into the role of caring for him. Dan promised his Uncle Tony he would give Cheeta a long, happy and fulfilled life. Tony repeatedly said "no!" It took many years for Dan to convince Uncle Tony to let him step up as the caregiver for his beloved chimp, but finally on his deathbed he relented and said his tearful goodbyes to his best friend just before passing away. Dan fulfilled the promise made to his uncle, giving five-star treatment and lots of love to Cheeta for the rest of his life; making room for him to live at his own home in Palm Springs. The two of them shared a unique relationship and special bond that was like no other and their love was an amazing thing to witness. Cheeta always had a smile on his face and was very laid-back, content and happy. There was no doubt that he knew how much he was loved.
For over 31 years Cheeta lived out his retirement with Dan at the C.H.E.E.T.A. (Creative Habitats and Enrichment for Endangered and Threatened Apes) Primate Sanctuary in Palm Springs, CA. Cheeta’s name was adopted for the sanctuary to draw attention to animals used in the entertainment industry which were sometimes abused or even killed during their tenures as show props. Many animal actors are extremely well cared for, but unfortunately the plight of most retired show-business chimpanzees is terribly grim. Often they outlive their entertainment careers by forty years or more. When they reach 6-8 years old they become very strong and can be difficult to handle. A full-grown chimp can have five to six times the strength of a human man. Many performers end up in sad, isolated situations or discarded and it has become more and more difficult to place them in sanctuaries that are full or suffering from financial crisis. Ex-performers are usually not accepted by zoos, so unless a home is found for them at a sanctuary, they end up in roadside animal shows, as medical test subjects, or euthanized. Research labs are where the largest part of the chimps in America are located. Because their DNA is the closest of all animals to the human species, they are considered the best subjects for medical study. Most of these poor animals live in cages at facilities for their entire lives, undergoing torture and discomfort. Few of them ever get to feel grass or see the blue sky and have no love or compassion shown to them.
Thankfully, Cheeta was one of the lucky ones who had a very fulfilling life which overflowed with love. Despite battling Type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis for the past 25 or so years, Cheeta was in great shape for a primate of his advanced age. His diet consisted of lots of fruit, vegetables, monkey chow, the occasional hamburger, hot dog or cheese burrito. He loved to go with Dan to visit McDonald’s drive-thru to get his favorite drinks, iced tea or diet coke, and get attention from all the employees who were thrilled to see such a sight. This four foot, one hundred and fifty pound primate was bursting with personality and charm. He enjoyed playing the piano, painting, watching television, going for walks, riding in the car, looking at pictures in magazines and waiving to the tourists who stopped in front of the Casa de Cheeta to catch a glimpse of him. He was quite a celebrity and the talk of Palm Springs.
Cheeta spent much of his time painting beautiful “Apestracts”, acrylic paintings in in lots of bright, cheerful colors. His work has been shown in the National Museum of London and is owned by his fans all over the world. Many of them have been sold to raise money for various charitable causes. His dear friend, world-renowned conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, once auctioned one of Cheeta’s paintings for $10,000 to help the chimpanzee conservation efforts of the Gombe National Park in Africa. Cheeta was the worldwide Ambassador chimpanzee for conservation efforts, education and the welfare of all primates species. He represented all of the chimpanzees that appeared as "Cheeta" in the numerous Tarzan movies, as well as his other animal friends in the entertainment industry. The conservation outreach of the C.H.E.E.T.A Primate Sanctuary, through his notoriety, has also promoted efforts raise funds which have aided in saving and improving the lives endangered primate species in the wild.
This legendary and joyful old man will no doubt go down in history, as he warmed the hearts of millions around the world through the films and projects he participated in. He is a true Hollywood icon who will be sorely missed. As said by a close friend and fan, “the world will now be a little less wonderful now without Cheeta in it”.
Article and Image by Christina Bush
Copyright 2022 - All Rights Reserved
www.christinabush.com
www.myanimalmagnetism.com
Written on behalf of The C.H.E.E.T.A. Primate Sanctuary
