Contents
Athlete
Johnny Weissmuller
Famoose for
Winning Olympic swimming gold before becoming cinema’s Tarzan.
Under a minute · Five golds
- Born
- 2 June 1904
- Birthplace
- Szabadfalva, Austria-Hungary
- Died
- 20 January 1984
More people
Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller was an American swimmer and actor whose sporting fame led to a Hollywood career.
Early life
Immigration
Moved to the United States as an infant.
Chicago
Developed as a swimmer in Chicago.
Career
- 1920s
Swimming champion
Set records and won Olympic titles.
- 1932–1948
Tarzan
Played the character in twelve films.
- Later career
Jungle Jim
Starred in another adventure-film series.
Achievements
Under a minute
Broke one minute for the 100m freestyle.
Five golds
Won five Olympic swimming titles.
Tarzan the Ape Man
Began his best-known film role.
Beyond swimming
Water polo
Also won an Olympic water-polo bronze medal.
Screen legacy
His Tarzan yell became closely associated with the character.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: MGM studio. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
