Five-time Olympic gold medallist Johnny Weissmuller was a true aquatic legend turned Hollywood star. Best known for his portrayal of Tarzan in twelve films from 1932 to 1948, Weissmuller brought the iconic jungle character to life with his athletic prowess and Tarzan’s legendary jungle yell.
Johnny Weissmuller was born Johann Peter Weißmüller on June 2, 1904, in Freidorf, Austria-Hungary (now part of Romania), to Peter and Elisabeth Weißmüller, ethnic German Banat Swabians. The family immigrated to the United States when Johnny was just a few months old, settling in Windber, Pennsylvania, and later moving to Chicago. Weissmuller contracted polio at the age of nine, and his doctor recommended swimming as part of his recovery. This advice led to a lifelong passion for the sport.
How can a guy climb trees, say “Me, Tarzan, you, Jane”, and make a million? The public forgives my acting because they know I was an athlete. They know I wasn’t make-believe.
Johnny Weissmuller
Weissmuller attended St. Michael’s School and later joined the Illinois Athletic Club, where he trained under the guidance of coach William Bachrach. His swimming career took off, and he quickly became one of the world’s fastest swimmers.
Before swinging through the vines, Weissmuller was an Olympic swimmer, earning five gold medals and setting 67 world records in the 1920s. His aquatic achievements marked him as one of the greatest swimmers in history.
In the 1924 Paris Olympics, he won gold medals in the 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle relay. Weissmuller was also a member of the U.S. water polo team that won a bronze medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics. He again won the gold medals in the 100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
Weissmuller was the first man to swim the 100-meter freestyle in under a minute and the 440-yard freestyle in under five minutes. He remained undefeated in official competition throughout his career.
Following his retirement from competitive swimming, Weissmuller transitioned to Hollywood. He is best known for his portrayal of Tarzan, a character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Weissmuller starred in twelve Tarzan films from 1932 to 1948, six produced by MGM and six by RKO. His portrayal of Tarzan, with his iconic yell and athletic physique, became the definitive image of the character. Weissmuller’s Tarzan became an enduring cultural symbol, defining the character for generations.
Weissmuller’s filmography includes Tarzan the Ape Man (1932), Tarzan and His Mate (1934), Tarzan Escapes (1936), Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939), Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941), Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942), Tarzan Triumphs (1943), Tarzan and the Amazons (1945), Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946), Tarzan and the Huntress (1947), and Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948).
After his Tarzan films, Weissmuller starred in sixteen Jungle Jim movies and a television series based on the character. Weissmuller’s association with the legendary character remains his most iconic contribution to cinema. His impact on both the sports and entertainment worlds solidifies Johnny Weissmuller as a unique and enduring figure in popular culture.
Weissmuller saved 11 people from drowning after a boat accident while training for the Chicago Marathon in 1927.
He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983.
Weissmuller’s trademark Tarzan yell was created by sound recordist Douglas Shearer.
Johnny Weissmuller married five times, with his most famous marriage being to actress Lupe Vélez. His marriages were often tumultuous, and his relationship with Vélez was particularly stormy, marked by public fights and scandals.
Weissmuller faced several health challenges later in life, including a serious heart condition. He moved to Las Vegas in 1973 and worked as a greeter at the MGM Grand Hotel. Weissmuller passed away on January 20, 1984, in Acapulco, Mexico, at the age of 79. At his request, a recording of his Tarzan yell was played as his coffin was lowered into the ground.
