The Kings And Queens Of The Jungle: A Definitive Guide To Every Tarzan Actor
Who comes to mind when you hear the name "Tarzan"? Is it the loincloth-clad hero swinging on vines, the iconic yell echoing through the canopy, or the man raised by apes who discovers his human heritage? For over a century, Tarzan, the iconic king of the jungle, has been a global symbol of adventure, freedom, and the clash between nature and civilization. But behind every legendary character is the actor who brings him to life. From the silent film reels of the 1910s to the high-definition streams of today, Tarzan has been portrayed by various actors in movies and TV series, each leaving a unique mark on the character's evolving legacy. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the history, the performers, and the cultural footprint of everyone who has swung into the role of Edgar Rice Burroughs' beloved creation.
We'll journey through the film adaptations of Edgar Burroughs' bestselling Tarzan series, exploring their varying degrees of critical and audience success. You'll learn about the history and evolution of Tarzan, a fictional character who began as a small orphan raised by an ape named Kala. We'll trace his story from believing apes were his family to being rescued by Jane Porter, discovering his humanity, and making the monumental decision of which family—and world—he truly belongs to. This list looks at actors who portrayed Tarzan in live-action across movies and TV, with attention to the scope of their work, the cultural footprint of their performances, and the historical significance of their productions. Whether you're curious about who played Tarzan in silent films, talking pictures, TV shows, and more, or you want to find photos, ratings, and trivia of each actor—from Johnny Weissmuller to Alexander Skarsgård—this article is your ultimate resource. We'll even cover the complete roster, discussing 25 actors who portrayed Tarzan in movies and TV shows, from silent films to animated features, and touch on the original Broadway cast of Tarzan. Prepare to swing through a century of cinematic and television history.
The Birth of a Legend: Edgar Rice Burroughs' Jungle Hero
Before the first actor donned a loincloth, Tarzan existed on the printed page. Created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the character first appeared in the 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes. The story follows John Clayton II, Viscount Greystoke, a small orphan stranded in the African jungle after his parents' death. He is discovered and raised by Kala, a sympathetic she-ape of the Mangani tribe. He believed that this was his family, learning the ways of the jungle, speaking the language of animals, and developing extraordinary physical prowess.
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His world changes with the arrival of an expedition. On an expedition, Jane Porter is rescued by Tarzan, sparking a connection that bridges two worlds. Through this encounter and subsequent adventures, he then finds out that he's human. This revelation forces Tarzan to make the decision as to which family he should belong to—the ape tribe that raised him or the human society from which he came. This core conflict of identity, belonging, and duality is the emotional engine that has driven every adaptation and fueled audiences' fascination for over 110 years. Burroughs' success spawned over two dozen sequels, creating a bestselling Tarzan series that demanded screen adaptations, launching the careers of many Tarzan actors.
The Silent Era: Pioneering the King of the Jungle (1910s-1920s)
The very first actor to portray the adult Tarzan was Elmo Lincoln in 1918's film Tarzan of the Apes. This silent film serial, though primitive by modern standards, was a monumental achievement, capturing the raw, primal essence of Burroughs' character. Lincoln, a former cowboy and stuntman, brought a physical authenticity and ruggedness that defined the early Tarzan as a force of nature. He returned for the sequel The Romance of Tarzan (1918) and later starred in Tarzan's Revenge (1920). These early films established the visual template: the vine-swinging, the jungle setting, and the conflict with civilization.
Following Lincoln, other actors took up the role in the silent era, including Frank Merrill, who starred in Tarzan the Tiger (1929), notable for being one of the last silent Tarzan films and featuring the actor appearing wearing only a fig leaf while hoisting actress Mary Eaton on his shoulders—a famously risqué image for the time. Gordon Griffith also famously played the young Tarzan in the 1918 serial. These pioneers faced the immense challenge of conveying a complex story and character without spoken dialogue, relying on physical acting, expressive title cards, and groundbreaking stunt work. Their contributions laid the foundational mythology for all future Tarzan actors.
The Golden Age: Johnny Weissmuller Defines an Icon (1930s-1950s)
With the advent of talking pictures, a popular Tarzan film franchise was developed, lasting from the 1930s through the 1960s. The undisputed king of this era was Johnny Weissmuller. A former Olympic swimming champion, Weissmuller was physically perfect for the role. His big break came after he was noticed by the writer Cyril Hume, which led to his casting in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932). His portrayal was transformative.
Weissmuller's Tarzan was a noble savage, articulate yet simple, deeply connected to the jungle but capable of interacting with the "civilized" world. His chemistry with Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane is legendary, creating the definitive on-screen partnership. Iconic images like Weissmüller (Tarzan) with Maureen O'Sullivan (Jane) in Tarzan's Secret Treasure are etched in pop culture history. He starred in six Tarzan features for MGM and six more for RKO, totaling 12 films. His famous, invented yell became the character's standard audio signature. Weissmuller's cultural footprint is immense; for generations, he was Tarzan. His success cemented the character's place in Hollywood and ensured the franchise's longevity.
The Television Swings In: Tarzan on the Small Screen (1950s-1970s)
As film series waned, Tarzan began swinging across television screens. The most famous TV iteration was the live-action series Tarzan (1966-1968), starring Ron Ely. This series presented a more intellectual, educated Tarzan—a well-spoken, college-educated lord who had returned to the jungle. It was a deliberate shift from the "me Tarzan, you Jane" stereotype, though it retained the adventure and action. Swinging across television screens in the late 1960s, Tarzan stands as an exciting adaptation that introduced the character to a new generation.
Before Ely, Gordon Scott (born Gordon Merrill Werschkul) had already transitioned from film to TV. Scott starred in five Tarzan films in the late 1950s and early 1960s, bringing a more muscular, classic hero look. He later took the role to television with a series of TV movies that were later syndicated as a series. Other actors like Jock Mahoney and Mike Henry also took turns in the role during this transitional period, often in lower-budget productions. The TV era diversified the character, exploring different facets of his personality and adapting the jungle adventures for a weekly episodic format.
Modern Revivals and Reinterpretations (1980s-Present)
The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw attempts to modernize and reimagine Tarzan for new audiences. Many of the best Tarzan characters were portrayed by elite actors taking on the challenge of updating the myth.
- Christopher Lambert brought a brooding, European sensibility to Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), a film that aimed for gritty realism and won an Oscar for makeup.
- Tony Goldwyn voiced the character in Disney's acclaimed 1999 animated musical Tarzan, which became a global phenomenon. This version emphasized Tarzan's journey of self-discovery with Phil Collins' music, introducing the story to millions of children.
- Alexander Skarsgård delivered a physically intense and psychologically complex performance in The Legend of Tarzan (2016), set against a backdrop of colonial exploitation and political intrigue.
- The 2023 Netflix animated film Tarzan & Jane featured Jason David Washington as the voice, continuing the trend of animated adaptations.
This period also saw Greg Tarzan Davis (born 1993 or 1994), an American actor who began in theater, moved to Los Angeles, and started his acting career with roles in projects like Tales from the Hood 2 (2018) and a recurring role on ABC's Grey's Anatomy (2021). In 2022, he played the role of Javy "Coyote" Machado in Top Gun: Maverick. While not a Tarzan lead, his inclusion in discussions of actors with "Tarzan" in their name highlights the character's pervasive cultural branding.
The Complete Roster: 25 Actors Who Swung as Tarzan
From the silent era to the present, a surprising number of performers have taken on the iconic role. Here is a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, list highlighting the most significant Tarzan actors in live-action and animation:
| Actor | Era / Notable Production | Key Details & Cultural Footprint |
|---|---|---|
| Elmo Lincoln | Silent Films (1918-1920) | The first. Set the foundational physical template. |
| Frank Merrill | Silent Films (1929) | Last major silent Tarzan; famous fig leaf publicity stunt. |
| Johnny Weissmuller | Classic Films (1932-1948) | The definitive Tarzan for decades. Olympic swimmer. 12 films. Defined the yell and persona. |
| Lex Barker | Classic Films (1949-1953) | Succeeded Weissmuller at RKO. Brought a more literary, articulate interpretation. 5 films. |
| Gordon Scott | Films & TV (1955-1966) | Transitioned from film to TV. Known for a classic, muscular hero look. 5 films + TV movies. |
| Jock Mahoney | Films (1962-1963) | Former stuntman; took over for Scott for two films. |
| Mike Henry | Films (1963-1965) | Played Tarzan in three films; later sued for injuries sustained during production. |
| Ron Ely | Television Series (1966-1968) | The intellectual, college-educated TV Tarzan. Defined the character for 1960s TV audiences. |
| Dany Saval | French TV Series (1960s) | Played Tarzan in a French-produced series, Tarzan. |
| Manuel Padilla Jr. | TV Series & Films (1966-1968) | Played the young "Boy" opposite Ron Ely and later starred in Tarzan and the Great River. |
| Robert Ridgely | Animated Series (1976-1978) | Voiced Tarzan in the Filmation animated series Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle. |
| Joe Lara | TV Movies & Series (1980s-1990s) | Starred in multiple TV movies and the series Tarzan in Manhattan (1989). |
| Christopher Lambert | Feature Film (1984) | Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. Oscar-nominated, gritty, realistic take. |
| Tony Goldwyn (voice) | Animated Feature (1999) | Disney's Tarzan. Brought emotional depth and musicality; iconic for a generation. |
| Michael T. Weiss (voice) | Animated Series (2001-2003) | Voiced Tarzan in the Disney-produced TV series The Legend of Tarzan. |
| Casper Van Dien | TV Movie (1998) | Starred in the modernized Tarzan and the Lost City. |
| Travis Fimmel | TV Series (2003) | Short-lived WB series Tarzan, set in contemporary New York. |
| Stelio Savante | TV Movie (2003) | Played Tarzan in the comedic Tarzan's Greatest Adventure. |
| Alexander Skarsgård | Feature Film (2016) | The Legend of Tarzan. Physically imposing, psychologically layered, set in colonial Africa. |
| Gideon Emery | Animated Series (2017) | Voiced Tarzan in the Netflix series Tarzan and Jane. |
| Jason David Washington (voice) | Animated Film (2023) | Voiced Tarzan in the Netflix film Tarzan & Jane. |
| Kellan Lutz | The Asylum Film (2013) | Starred in the mockbuster Tarzan. |
| Steven Brand | The Asylum Film (1998) | Starred in the mockbuster Tarzan and the Lost Safari. |
| Brian Bloom | Video Game (2012) | Voiced Tarzan in the video game Tarzan: Untamed. |
| Greg Tarzan Davis | Feature Film (2022) | Not a lead Tarzan, but his "Tarzan" nickname and role in Top Gun: Maverick earns him a footnote in the lore. |
Note: This list focuses on principal live-action and voice portrayals. Many other actors have played Tarzan in minor roles, foreign productions, stage plays, and fan films.
Broadway's Ape-Man: The Musical Tarzan
Beyond screen and page, Tarzan conquered Broadway. Meet the original Broadway cast of Tarzan, which opened in 2006. The musical, featuring music by Phil Collins, was a technical marvel with its signature aerial choreography and vine-swinging. The original cast featured:
- Josh Strickland as Tarzan (the first actor to play the role on Broadway)
- Jennifer Gambatese as Jane Porter
- Shuler Hensley as Clayton (the villain)
- Merle Dandridge as Kala
- Donnie Keshawarz as Terk (originally played by a female actor in a male role)
This production was significant for its ambitious staging and for translating the animated film's story to the live stage, introducing Tarzan's journey to theatergoers and adding another dimension to the character's evolution across various media.
Cultural Impact, Legacy, and the Tarzan Dilemma
The varying degrees of success in Tarzan adaptations often stem from how they handle the character's core conflicts. The most resonant portrayals balance the noble savage with the educated lord, the animalistic grace with the human vulnerability. The cultural footprint of performances like Weissmuller's is undeniable—he created an archetype. Modern interpretations like Skarsgård's or Lambert's Greystoke attempt to grapple with the colonialist and racial complexities inherent in the source material, a necessary evolution for contemporary audiences.
Many of the best Tarzan characters were portrayed by elite actors who understood the duality at the heart of the role. It's not just about physicality; it's about conveying the confusion of identity, the pain of belonging to two worlds, and the ultimate choice of family. The character's journey—from a small orphan raised by an ape to a man between two societies—remains powerfully relatable. This is why the story endures and why new Tarzan actors are continually cast.
Conclusion: The Eternal Swing of the King
From Elmo Lincoln's silent, loinclothed pioneering to Alexander Skarsgård's brooding, historically-conscious lord, the history and evolution of Tarzan is intrinsically linked to the performers who embodied him. Each actor, from the Olympic champion Weissmuller to the stage-trained Strickland, has contributed a layer to this multifaceted icon. The film adaptations have ranged from campy serials to Oscar-contending dramas, from animated musicals to gritty reboots, reflecting the changing tastes and social consciousness of their times.
The story of Tarzan—of a boy raised by apes, rescued by love, and torn between two families—is a timeless myth. It speaks to our primal connections to nature and our complicated place in society. As long as that story resonates, new actors will portray Tarzan in movies and TV, each adding their own historical significance to the legend. So, the next time you hear that iconic yell or see a figure swinging through the trees, remember the long line of Tarzan actors who helped make the king of the jungle an immortal figure in global popular culture. Whether you prefer the classic yell of Weissmuller, the vocal prowess of Goldwyn, or the intense realism of Skarsgård, the jungle will always have its king, and the actors will always be there to give him a voice.
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Tarzan Voice | Behind The Voice Actors
Tarzan Voice | Behind The Voice Actors
Tarzan Franchise - Behind The Voice Actors
