ExclusiveOlympian Johnny Weissmuller paved the waterway to movies for Esther Williams

Johnny Weissmuller is remembered as one of the greatest American swimmers of the 20th century. It’s apropos to look back at his career now, as the Summer Olympics are taking place in Paris, since Weissmuller’s first Olympics were the 1924 Games, which were also in Paris. Throughout his career, he won five gold medals and one bronze, beating numerous world records with his impressive swimming. While modeling bathing suits, he was courted by Hollywood to play the leading man in MGM’s adaptation of Edgar Rice Burrough’s popular “Tarzan” series. Although Burrough didn’t agree with MGM’s ape-like take on his title character, Weissmuller’s portrayal of Tarzan in twelve films defined the character as we know him.

Another champion swimmer who became a movie star was Esther Williams. Although the outbreak of World War II kept her from competing in the 1940 Olympics, she swam in Billy Rose’s Aquacade in San Francisco, which also featured Johnny Weissmuller. It was in this show that MGM talent scouts discovered the attractive young woman. She trained to become a competent actress, singer, and dancer before starring in her first movie. Her musical aquacades were clean, fun entertainment for the whole family, and she popularized swimming for recreation in this country.
#mentalhealth #mind #bodyhealth #health #healthcare #healthandwellness #bodyhealthy #wellbeing #wellness #show #talkshow #traditional #american #america #healthbenefits