Johnny Weissmuller
(born Johann Peter Weißmüller; June 2, 1904 – January 20, 1984) was an
Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor. Weissmuller was one of the
world's best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one
bronze medal. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven
world records.
After his swimming
career, he became the sixth actor to portray Tarzan in films, a role he played
in twelve motion pictures. Dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, but
Weissmuller is by far the best known. His character's distinctive, ululating
Tarzan yell is still often used in films.