Object Details
- Artist
- George Hurrell, 1 Jun 1904 - 17 May 1992
- Sitter
- Johnny Weissmuller, 2 Jun 1904 - 20 Jan 1984
- Exhibition Label
- Johnny Weissmuller was not the first to embody Tarzan on the big screen. Yet it was his portrayal in twelve films from 1932 to 1948 that established him as the quintessential “King of the Jungle” for a generation of moviegoers.
- Weissmuller first gained fame as an international swimming sensation. Undefeated during eight years of competition, he won 52 national championships, set 67 world records, and earned gold medals at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. Thereafter, he performed in water shows and promoted a line of swimwear before drawing the attention of Cyril Hume, the scriptwriter tasked with developing a Tarzan screenplay for MGM. Encountering Weissmuller at the Hollywood Athletic Club’s swimming pool, Hume was struck by the swimmer’s natural grace and athletic physique. He arranged a screen test, and despite Weissmuller’s limited acting ability, he became MGM’s Tarzan. Hurrell photographed Weissmuller to promote the film Tarzan Escapes, released in 1936.
- Johnny Weissmuller no fue el primero que interpretó a Tarzán en el cine, pero sus 12 películas sobre dicho personaje entre 1932 y 1948 lo establecieron como el arquetípico “rey de la selva” para toda una generación de aficionados.
- Weissmuller había causado sensación internacionalmente como nadador. Invicto en ocho años de competencias, ganó 52 campeonatos nacionales, impuso 67 marcas mundiales y obtuvo medallas de oro en las Olimpiadas de 1924 y 1928. Luego participó en espectáculos acuáticos y promovió una línea de trajes de baño antes de captar la atención de Cyril Hume, escritor encargado de desarrollar un guion sobre Tarzán para MGM. Hume conoció a Weissmuller en la piscina del Club Atlético de Hollywood y quedó impresionado por su Gracia natural y su atletismo. Tras una audición coordinada por Hume, y pese a sus limitaciones actorales, Weissmuller se convirtió en el Tarzán de MGM. Hurrell lo retrató para promover la película La fuga de Tarzán, estrenada en 1936.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired in part through the generosity of an anonymous donor
- 1935
- Object number
- NPG.2022.80
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Photograph
- Medium
- Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions
- Image/Sheet: 23.7 × 18.2 cm (9 5/16 × 7 3/16")
- Mount: 50.7 × 37.8 cm (19 15/16 × 14 7/8")
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Exhibition
- Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell
- On View
- NPG, South Gallery 120
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- Exterior
- Nature & Environment\Plant\Tree
- Weapon\Knife
- Costume\Loincloth
- Johnny Weissmuller: Male
- Johnny Weissmuller: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
- Johnny Weissmuller: Sports\Athlete\Swimmer
- Johnny Weissmuller: Athletics awards\Olympic medal
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.2022.80
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm47b57e6f4-8691-4a84-a7da-66e224adbd05
