Overview

Johnny Weissmuller was an American swimmer and actor, best known for his exceptional achievements in swimming and his later fame as an actor portraying Tarzan in Hollywood films. As a competitive swimmer, Weissmuller was one of the most dominant athletes of the early 20th century. He won five Olympic gold medals in swimming, including three at the 1924 Paris Olympics (100-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, 4x200-meter freestyle relay) and two at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics (100-meter freestyle, 4x200-meter freestyle relay). He also won a bronze medal in water polo at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Weissmuller set 67 world records during his swimming career and was known for his distinctive and efficient swimming style. He was the first person to swim the 100-meter freestyle in less than a minute. His prowess in the water translated into a successful Hollywood career, where he became famous for his role as Tarzan in a series of popular films during the 1930s and 1940s. His portrayal of Tarzan remains iconic, and he was noted for performing many of his stunts and using his swimming skills in the role.