Johann/Janos Peter "Johnny" Weissmuller (1904-1984) is a historic Austrian film actor, swimmer and olympic athlete. Weissmuller is best remembered for having played Edgar Rice Burroughs' character of Tarzan in the 1932 film Tarzan the Ape Man and its sequels.
History[]
Biography[]
Jungle Cruise appearances[]
Jungle Cruise[]
Weissmuller is indirectly referenced twice by Albert Awol in Walt Disney World's Jungle Cruise. Awol does an impression of Weissmuller's Tarzan yell while clearing his throat on a message for Colonel Williamson. Albert Awol also mentions the skippers watching a (fictitious) 1930s film titled, "Tarzan and Me", referencing the many Tarzan films which Weissmuller starred in (namely Tarzan and His Mate (1934)). Another indirect connection comes from skipper Felix Pechman XIII originating from Silver Springs, Florida where the films were shot.
Other connections[]
The Great Movie Ride[]
One of the movies passed through in this attraction was Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) with guests passing under an animatronic of Weissmuller's likeness in his Tarzan character. The tour-guide of this attraction would reference Tarzan as being portrayed by Weissmuller while passing through this scene.
Tarzan's Treehouse[]
Tarzan is an in-universe character in the Jungle Cruise mythos who is affiliated with the attraction Tarzan's Treehouse.
Trivia[]
- The iconic Tarzan Yell is surrounded by mystery in its development. With many different sources identifying different parties and tactics used in creating the audio.
- Weissmuller's Tarzan yell is imitated by a cartoon beetle in the 1935 Mickey Mouse cartoon, Mickey's Garden.
Gallery[]
