Jiggs (chimpanzee)

Jiggs
SpeciesChimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
SexMale
Bornc. 1929
DiedFebruary 28, 1938(1938-02-28) (aged 8–9)
Cause of deathPneumonia
Resting placeLos Angeles Pet Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1932-1938
Known forThe first chimpanzee to play the character Cheeta
OwnerTony & Jacqueline Gentry

Jiggs (c. 1929 – February 28, 1938) was a male chimpanzee and animal actor who originated the character of Cheeta in the 1930s Hollywood Tarzan movies. He was owned and trained by Tony and Jacqueline Gentry.[1][2][3][4][5]

  1. ^ Kingsley, Grace. "Hobnobbing in Hollywood," in the Los Angeles Times, November 21, 1933, page 11.
  2. ^ "Chimpanzee Actor Dies; Funeral Planned for Today," in the Los Angeles Times, March 2, 1938, page A3.
  3. ^ "Famous Chimpanzee, Jiggs, Dies on Coast," in The Atlanta Constitution, March 2, 1938, page 2.
  4. ^ "Owner Sues for 'Jigg's' Death," in The New York Times, April 15, 1938, page 22.
  5. ^ "Alas, poor Jiggs !" in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 6, 1938, page 4.