Johnny Weissmuller
Biography
Johnny Weissmuller was an American swimmer, water polo player and actor who won five Olympic gold medals. Born in 1904 in Freidorf, he became the first swimmer to cover 100 meters freestyle in less than a minute, and he left the sport having never lost a race as an amateur. In 1950 the Associated Press called him the greatest swimmer of the 20th century's first half. His first screen work was a non-speaking role in Glorifying the American Girl, and his big break came as Tarzan in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932). He went on to play Tarzan in twelve features from 1932 to 1948, six for MGM and six for RKO, and was considered the definitive Tarzan who devised the character's yell. He later starred in sixteen Jungle Jim films across eight years and 26 episodes of a Jungle Jim television series. He retired in 1957, received the George Eastman Award in 1973, and died in 1984.
79years old at death
- Born Freidorf
- Died Acapulco de Juárez
- Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
- Weissmüller János (birth name)Also credited as Peter Johann Weißmüller, Petros János Weiszmüller and Peter John Weissmuller
Movie Career
- Films
- 13
- Career span
- 19 years1932 to 1951
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First role
In his first film, Glorifying the American Girl, Weissmuller had a non-speaking part as Adonis. Wearing only a fig leaf, he lifted actress Mary Eaton onto his shoulders, and writer Cyril Hume spotted him, which brought his Tarzan break.
Big break
When MGM wanted Weissmuller for Tarzan, he was under contract to model BVD underwear. The studio agreed to feature actresses such as Greta Garbo and Marie Dressler in BVD ads so he could be released.
A first
Weissmuller originated the famous Tarzan yell, which sound recordist Douglas Shearer created by recording Weissmuller's normal yell, manipulating it and playing it in reverse.
A first
Weissmuller set a 100-yard freestyle world record of 51.0 seconds in 1927 that stood for 17 years, then improved it to 48.5 seconds at the 1940 Billy Rose World's Fair Aquacade at age 36, though the result was discounted because he competed as a professional.
A change of course
During the 1930s, before he played Tarzan, Weissmuller taught swimming at the Miami Biltmore Hotel. At that hotel's pool, he set a world record.
A first
In 1965, Weissmuller joined the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He had served as the organization's founding chairman before his induction.
Johnny Weissmuller movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Richard Thorpe directed four of these films, Kurt Neumann three and Wilhelm Thiele two. Johnny Sheffield appears in eight of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Johnny Sheffield's page
Maureen O'Sullivan's page
Brenda Joyce's page
Barton MacLane's page
Doris Lloyd's page
Henry Stephenson's page
Richard ThorpeDirector, 4 films, 1936 to 1942
All films by Richard Thorpe
Kurt NeumannDirector, 3 films, 1945 to 1947
All films by Kurt Neumann
Wilhelm ThieleDirector, 2 films, 1943
All films by Wilhelm Thiele
Also two films together5 more actors
- Matthew BoultonTarzan and the Mermaids (1948) and Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942)
- Philip Van ZandtTarzan Triumphs (1943) and Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943)
- Georges RenaventTarzan and the Huntress (1947) and Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946)
- Neil HamiltonTarzan and His Mate (1934) and Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
- Everett BrownTarzan Escapes (1936) and Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Three awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Honorary citizen of Timișoara | Honorary | ||
| International Swimming Hall of Fame | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.