Living the Good Life at 74

The news was all over the networks and new sites last week about octogenarian Hugh Hefner's extravagant 80th birthday celebration at the fabled Playboy Mansion. But another renowned celebrity is busy celebrating a milestone birthday this week. And though his party may not have boasted quite as many scantily clad beauties, Hollywood celebrities or bejeweled rock stars, he still seemed to enjoy having his cake and eating it, too.

Cheeta, the original co-star to such jungle he-men as Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe, turned 74 years old on April 9th, celebrating his big day with sugar-free birthday cake and diet sodas.

Cheeta has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest chimp. Chimps rarely live past the age of 40 in the wild, but can reach 60 in captivity.

Cheeta spent his birthday weekend living the life of luxury at the desert primary sanctuary that bares his name — the C.H.E.E.T.A. Primate Sanctuary — where he has lived since 1992.