As movie careers go, this chimp is still enjoying his day in the sun—now living out his retirement years at a primate sanctuary in Palm Springs, California. Considered the oldest living chimpanzee, world-famous Cheeta provided the “cuteness” factor for the original series of Tarzan movies produced during the 1930s-40s. On April 9, 2008 Cheeta celebrates his 76^th birthday at the Creative Habitats and Enrichment for Endangered and Threatened Apes in the desert community. For his 75^th birthday party last year he wore Spongebob Squarepants party hat and ate sugar-free cake (he was diagnosed with diabetes seven years ago.)  

Born in Liberia in 1932, Cheeta made his movie debut at the tender age of two in 1934. After a stellar career that began with about a dozen of the Tarzan films and ended with the 1967 Rex Harrison starrer, “Dr. Doolittle,” this once hard-working chimp has well earned his bananas over the years.

Cheeta now spends his days like any normal retired chimpanzee. Mostly, he watches TV and dabbles in abstract paintings, which are sold to benefit primate-related charities. He also enjoys “reading” books and “playing” piano. Occasionally he indulges himself in nostalgia while watching his old films with grandson, Jeeter, in his cozy air-conditioned facilities.

If Cheeta were human, you would have expected him to write his memoirs by now. As it turns out, a ghostwriter was hired to do that for him, and the publication of Me, Cheeta is scheduled for release in October 2008. Whether or not it becomes a bestseller depends in large part on how willing he is to take on the media. Considering his iconic status in the history of film, anyone booking for Oprah or Ellen is bound to go ape over this guy.