Johnny Weissmuller

JOHNNY WEISSMULLER d1984. Romanian-born American swimmer and actor. He was one of the world's best swimmers in the 1920s (winning five Olympic gold) and one bronze medals. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven world records. After his swimming career ended, he became the sixth actor to portray Tarzan in films, a role that he played in twelve motion pictures. Dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, but Weissmuller is by far the best known. His character's distinctive, ululating Tarzan yell is still often used in films. In 1974, he broke both his hip and leg, marking the beginning of years of declining health. Whilst hospitalized he learned that in spite of his strength and lifelong daily regimen of swimming and exercise, he had a serious heart condition. In 1977, he suffered a series of strokes. On January 20th 1984, Johnny Weissmuller died from pulmonary edema at the age of 79. He was buried in Acapulco at The Valley of the Light Cemetery. As his coffin was lowered into the ground, a recording of the Tarzan yell he invented was played three times, at his request ...........