Cheeta the chimpanzee tells all in book

LOS ANGELES, March 29 (UPI) -- Cheeta, Tarzan's chimpanzee sidekick in the movies, mostly enjoyed his time in Hollywood's limelight, excerpts from his ghost-written "autobiography" reveal.

The book, "Me Cheeta," is written from the 76-year-old hairy celebrity's point of view and offers alleged insights into the animal's experiences working with his "Tarzan" co-star, the late Johnny Weissmuller, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

"Dear old Johnny was more typecast than I was. I remember we were both up for the role of Terry in 'On the Waterfront' and the casting director told Johnny he was wasting his time," the text reads. "I got a callback but it came to nothing. He went off to start a swimming-pool company. Swimming was never my thing."

The book, due out this fall but previewed in this month's Esquire magazine, also includes comments regarding the vices Cheeta had to struggle with during his Hollywood career, the British newspaper said.

"My only vices are hamburgers and caffeine-free Coke," the book reads. "Fresh fruit, vegetables and monkey chow are the key. It's tough that the chow tastes like dog food."