Cheeta is 74

Cheeta is 74

Long retired from "acting" and now living at a primate sanctuary in - where else? - Palm Springs, Calif., Cheeta celebrated his world-record 74th birthday Sunday. He's said by the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world's oldest primate. Few chimps are known to have lived past the age 50

According to National Public Radio, in retirement Cheeta has become an avid painter.

Best known for his roles alongside Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan in the Tarzan movies, Cheeta first appeared on screen in 1934 and had parts in 12 flicks.

Weissmuller died in 1984, at the age of 79. O'Sullivan died in 1988, at the age of 87. Johnny Sheffield (who played "Boy") celebrates his 75th birthday today.