Johnny Weissmüller
Biography
Johnny Weissmuller, born Johann Peter Weissmuller and also known as János Weissmüller, was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor. He was born on June 2, 1904, in Freidorf, Austria-Hungary, which is now Timisoara, Timis County. He died on January 20, 1984, at the age of seventy-nine in Acapulco, Mexico. During the 1920s, he was recognized as one of the world's best swimmers, winning five Olympic gold medals, one bronze medal, fifty-two US National Championships, and setting sixty-seven world records. Following his athletic career, he transitioned to acting, becoming the sixth actor to portray Tarzan and playing the role in twelve motion pictures. His known credits in the film database total sixty-three.
Career overview
Johnny Weissmuller was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor who achieved significant recognition both in athletics and in film. During the 1920s, he ranked as one of the world's best swimmers, earning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal. Over the course of his athletic career, he secured fifty-two US National Championships and established sixty-seven world records.
Following his swimming career, Weissmuller transitioned to the film industry, becoming the sixth actor to portray the character Tarzan on screen. He ultimately played the role in twelve motion pictures. Although dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, Weissmuller remains by far the best known for the part. Additionally, his character's distinctive, ululating Tarzan yell continues to be frequently used in films.
Born on June 2, 1904, in Freidorf, Austria-Hungary, Weissmuller had sixty-three known acting credits listed in his filmography. He passed away on January 20, 1984, in Acapulco, Mexico, at the age of seventy-nine.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
63 titles- Famous T&A 2 (2022) as Tarzan (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Tarzan: Lord of the Movies (2017) as Self / Tarzan (Archived Footage)
- Tarzan Revisited (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- The One, the Only, the Real Tarzan (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- Tarzan at the Movies Part 1: Johnny Weissmuller (1996) as Johnny Weissmuller
- Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies (1988) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Going Hollywood: The '30s (1984) as Self (archive footage)
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
- It's Showtime (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Hooray for Hollywood (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) as Stagehand 2
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- The Great Masquerade (1974) as Sepy Debronvi
- Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972) as Self (archive footage)
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- The Phynx (1970) as Johnny Weissmuller
- The Comic (1969) as Jungle Jim (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Das aktuelle Sportstudio (1963) as self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- Jungle Jim (1955)
- Devil Goddess (1955) as Johnny Weissmuller
- Jungle Moon Men (1955) as Johnny Weissmuller
- Cannibal Attack (1954) as Johnny Weissmuller
- Jungle Man-Eaters (1954) as Jungle Jim
- Valley of Head Hunters (1953) as Jungle Jim
- Killer Ape (1953) as Jungle Jim
- Savage Mutiny (1953) as Jungle Jim
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land (1952) as Jungle Jim
- Voodoo Tiger (1952) as Jungle Jim
- Jungle Manhunt (1951) as Jungle Jim
- Fury of the Congo (1951) as Jungle Jim
- Captive Girl (1950) as Jungle Jim
- The Yellow Cab Man (1950) as Tarzan (archive sound) (uncredited)
- Pygmy Island (1950) as Jungle Jim
- The Golden Twenties (1950) as Self (archive footage)
- Mark of the Gorilla (1950) as Jungle Jim
- The Lost Tribe (1949) as Jungle Jim
- Aquashow's Sports Serenade (1949)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948) as Tarzan
- Jungle Jim (1948) as Jungle Jim
- Tarzan and the Huntress (1947) as Tarzan
- Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (1946) as Tarzan
- Swamp Fire (1946) as Johnny Duval
- Tarzan and the Amazons (1945) as Tarzan
- Parade of Aquatic Champions (1945) as Himself
- Tarzan's Desert Mystery (1943) as Tarzan
- Tarzan Triumphs (1943) as Tarzan
- Stage Door Canteen (1943) as Johnny Weissmüller
- Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) as Tarzan
- Tarzan's Secret Treasure (1941) as Tarzan
- Hollywood: Style Center of the World (1940) as Self
- Rodeo Dough (1940) as Johnny Weissmuller
- Tarzan Finds a Son! (1939) as Tarzan
- Tarzan Escapes (1936) as Tarzan
- Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs (1936) as Self
- Tarzan and His Mate (1934) as Tarzan
- Hollywood on Parade No. B-1 (1934)
- Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) as Tarzan
- Glorifying the American Girl (1929) as Adonis in "Loveland"
- Ways to Strength and Beauty (1925)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Johnny Weissmüller best known for?
Johnny Weissmüller is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including That's Entertainment, Part II (1976), Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976), The Fugitive Kind (1960), Call Me Madam (1953).
When and where was Johnny Weissmüller born?
Johnny Weissmüller was born on June 2, 1904 in Freidorf, Austria-Hungary [now Timisoara, Timis County, Romania]. They passed away on January 20, 1984.
How many credits does Johnny Weissmüller have?
Johnny Weissmüller has accumulated over 63 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1925 to 2022.
What is Johnny Weissmüller's background in cinema and television?
Johnny Weissmuller, born Johann Peter Weissmuller and also known as János Weissmüller, was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor. He was born on June 2, 1904, in Freidorf, Austria-Hungary, which is now Timisoara, Timis County. He died on January 20, 1984, at the age of seventy-nine in Acapulco, Mexico. Du...
Johnny Weissmüller by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage) — aged about 72
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self — aged about 44
- Jungle Jim (1955) — aged about 51
- Devil Goddess (1955) as Johnny Weissmuller — aged about 51
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self — aged about 58
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self — aged about 48
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