Huh… here’s an interesting factoid I’ve just run across: it seems that Cheeta, the chimpanzee who co-starred with Johnny Weissmuller in all those Tarzan movies of the 1930s and ’40s, is still alive. Now 74 years old, he holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest known (non-human) primate. He lives in an animal sanctuary that bears his name and a mission to “provide residence, care, and rehabilitation for homeless or unwanted ex-show business primates.” Much like Norma Desmond, the retired ape reportedly passes his time watching his old films and painting. Yes, painting. As in art. You can even buy one of his canvases, if you so desire. The money goes to support the sanctuary.
I don’t know why, but I find this story positively charming…
That is very cool. If I had more disposable income, I’d send for a painting. 🙂
Yeah, it’d be a heckuva a conversation piece, wouldn’t it? The interesting thing is that Cheeta’s paintings are actually rather pretty and appear to have some sophisticated thinking behind them. I would’ve expected an animal to just make splotches, but the ones pictured on the website have definite form and structure to them. Makes you wonder what Cheeta thinks they mean, doesn’t it?