Culture

Chimp Vies for Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

by Heiky | June 11, 2008 at 12:51 pm

406 views | 12 Recommendations | 3 comments

Cheeta the Chimp is once again vying for a sidewalk star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

This is the seventh time that the animal actor is trying to become the first monkey to receive such an honor. Cheeta's had starred in classics like "Tarzan" and in the 1967 comedy "Dr. Doolittle". Previously the Walk of Fame has honored dogs, cartoons and even a Muppet, so shouldn't the famous chimp earn a place on Tinseltown's famous path?

Cheeta's handlers even drew up an online petition.

Cheeta's "inclusion on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will not only give recognition to one of the international, animal megastars of all time, but focus attention on his fellow primates in the wilds of Africa who now face extinction," the petition reads.

The petition notes that Cheeta's canine colleagues Lassie, and 1920s stars Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart are immortalized on the boulevard, along with fictional animals Kermit the Frog, Godzilla and Donald Duck.

"He's up against really big celebrities," Ana Martinez-Holler, a spokeswoman for the Chamber of Commerce said.

The chamber usually chooses about 24 entertainers a year. This year, Cheeta will be considered along with another 200 nominees. His handlers are hoping that the seventh time's the charm.

Martinez-Holler said chamber members will announce their selections near the end of the month. She wouldn't speculate whether the seventh time will be a charm for Cheeta.
The 76-year-old chimp, who the Guinness World Records has called the oldest living, non-human primate, is retired and lives in Palm Springs. Cheeta also has a MySpace page, which lists painting "Ape-Stract Art" among his hobbies, and The Monkees his favorite band.

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Karen Hatter

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:49 on June 11th, 2008

Heiky, I like this story. It's good stuff. Wow! 76! If a muppet and cartoons are on the Walk of Fame, Cheeta definitely belongs there!

LotusFlower

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 21:07 on June 11th, 2008

Heiky, I like this story. It's good stuff. Cheeta certainly gets my vote - wow 76 years old - thats news in itself to me!

NDUB012

at 08:24 on June 12th, 2008

Heiky, thank you for using my photo. Some of my most vivid memories, as a child, were of Tarzan and Cheeta movies. They inspired a love for animals, a desire to discover more of the world and an acceptance of other lifestyles. Cheeta was an indispensable part of the positive messages these films still bring to viewers. He is a star. He deserves a star on the Walk of Fame.