Chimpanzees have long fascinated people, and Hollywood was no exception. From the 1930s through the modern era, some of the biggest names in film and television found themselves side by side with these remarkable animals — whether on a movie set, at a publicity shoot, or simply for the fun of it. The photos that survive from those encounters tell a story about both the stars and the animals that shared the frame with them.
Chimps are among the most intelligent animals on Earth. They are the only creatures besides humans known to use a wider variety of tools than any other animal. They live in complex social groups, communicate in sophisticated ways, and display emotions that are easy for humans to recognize. Research published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B even found that chimpanzees form stronger social bonds with others after sharing an experience together — much like humans do. That sense of connection likely played a role in how naturally they interacted with the actors and entertainers in these photographs.
Despite their smaller size compared to many of the humans they posed with, chimps are no pushovers physically. Live Science reported that chimpanzees are about 1.35 times stronger than humans, thanks to a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers that power explosive movements like pulling, jumping, and climbing. The stars in these photos were sharing the spotlight with animals that could easily outperform them in a tug-of-war. One of the earliest and most famous Hollywood settings for chimp appearances was the Tarzan film series.
The Tarzan franchise brought chimpanzees to mainstream audiences in a big way. Maureen O’Sullivan starred alongside Johnny Weissmuller in the original series, and the chimp character Cheetah became one of the most recognized animal actors in film history. Ronald Reagan, who would later become the 40th President of the United States, also had his own well-documented history with a chimpanzee co-star — most famously in the 1951 film Bedtime for Bonzo.
European stars were just as drawn to these photo opportunities as their American counterparts. French actress Brigitte Bardot, Swedish bombshell Anita Ekberg, and German actress Sabine Bethmann all appeared in memorable images with chimpanzees. The pairings often highlighted a striking contrast — the glamour of the star set against the raw, unscripted behavior of the animal.
Television personalities and entertainers from across the decades got in on the act as well. Cher posed with a baby chimp named Toto. Dom DeLuise, Jack Benny, and Herb Alpert all appeared in photos with chimps that captured the casual, playful energy of mid-century Hollywood culture. For many of these stars, posing with a chimpanzee was both a publicity tool and a genuine moment of curiosity and fun.
Some of these photos come directly from film sets. Marilyn Monroe appeared alongside a chimpanzee in the 1952 comedy Monkey Business. Danny Kaye and Pier Angeli were photographed together with a chimp during what appears to be a lighthearted promotional session. Mary Hartline’s 1950 photo — in which she appears to be helping a young chimpanzee sign a contract — stands out as one of the most tongue-in-cheek images in the collection.
Going further back, the 1930s produced some of the most striking images in this collection. Dorothy Lamour was photographed with a chimpanzee both in 1937 and again on a beach in 1939. Martha Raye, Molly Lamont, and Fanny Brice were all captured alongside chimps during that same decade, at a time when Hollywood’s golden age was in full swing and animal performers were a common sight on studio lots.
Male stars were equally represented in these encounters. Marlon Brando, Eddie Fisher, Gary Cooper, and Matt LeBlanc — who famously starred alongside a capuchin monkey in the TV series Friends — all appear in this collection. Stymie, the beloved character from the Little Rascals, also makes an appearance, as does the trumpet player and musician Herb Alpert in a more unexpected pairing.
