Hail to the chimp - time to honour movie star Cheeta (From The Northern Echo)

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Hail to the chimp - time to honour movie star Cheeta

6:12pm Wednesday 18th February 2009 in Staff Blogs Photograph of the Author By Andrew White, Assistant News Editor

BEST PALS: Cheeta and Johnny

THE tragic story of Travis the chimp - killed after mauling a woman in the States - and the forthcoming Oscar awards night has brought to mind the shoddy treatment of another celebrity animal.

Cheeta, the star of numerous classic Tarzan films, has been shamefully overlooked by the Hollywood authorities for years.

Officially the oldest chimpanzee ever, the 76-year-old simian actor is now living a life of retired luxury in a Californian primate sanctuary.

His heyday was in the Golden Age of Hollywood, the 1930s and 40s, when he starred in a series of hugely popular and lucrative films alongside Johnny Weissmuller, the definitive screen Trazan.

Along with King Kong, he is probably the most famous screen primate ever - and is certainly the funniest, as his numerous scene-stealing appearances testify.

But despite this, and a prolongued campaign on his behalf over several years, Cheeta has still not been granted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It may seem odd to suggest a chimp should be so honoured - but other non-humanoids have made it.

Rin Tin Tin and Lassie are on there, so why not Cheeta? Kermit the Frog - a puppet for goodness sake - and Tinkerbell also have stars. Mickey Mouse has got one - fair enough - but what has Tinkerbell ever done?

Cheeta is at least the equal of all of the above and it is a travesty that this legend of the silver screen continues to be ignored.

It's about time this situation was rectified and I would urge anybody with a knowledge of movie history and a sense of fair play to sign up to the campaign to right this wrong.

So come on, let's ensure Cheeta earns his place among the celluloid greats and finally obtains the star his career so richly deserves.

To join me in signing the online petition to get Cheeta a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.gocheeta.com.

Comments(11)

hayles123 says...
9:22am Thu 19 Feb 09

Go Whiteman! Great campaign