Here is the deal folks, seeing as I work at the zoo where this gorilla, (and yes he's a real life gorilla), spent more than a few years of his life. His name is Ramar. He is wild born, and he came to the NC Zoo after being raised from the wild by a trainer from California. When Ramar became to big, he gave him to the NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC. He destroyed every "toy" he was given, but this luggage. In 1997 or 98 he was sent to the Brookfield Zoo. Look it up. He's a pretty amazing beast.
This was neither a gorilla nor a guy in a gorilla suit - it was a real chimpanzee. A few years after this ad started, American Tourister issued a PR statement through the ASPCA. There was a rumor they had starved the chimp and put food inside the case - they hadn't. He just loved to play rough.
Thank you for saving this. I remember first seeing this on TV with my Dad back when I was child. We both laughed so hard that it became a memorable part of our lives. But kowing now what we did not appreciate then, I can say that I feel bad for the "Gorilla" (actually a male adult chimp) and the conditions that he was forced to live in. I hope that he was one of the lucky ones that at least made it to an outdoor enclosure and had the pleasure of interacting with others of his own kind.
@f47lbx3 Well, it looks like they cast a guy in a gorilla suit to do the commercial, not a real gorilla. I remember seeing this commercial when my family would watch "Candid Camera" and being totally convinced that the "gorilla" was real, but I'm glad that it ended up being a guy in a suit. :)
This fellow now works for American Airlines and he handled my bag last month.
soylentteal 58 minutes ago
I thought this was Otto. Otto was a Silverback Lowland Gorilla who was the star of the luggage ad. He passed away in 2007.
yoshimra 2 months ago
Here is the deal folks, seeing as I work at the zoo where this gorilla, (and yes he's a real life gorilla), spent more than a few years of his life. His name is Ramar. He is wild born, and he came to the NC Zoo after being raised from the wild by a trainer from California. When Ramar became to big, he gave him to the NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC. He destroyed every "toy" he was given, but this luggage. In 1997 or 98 he was sent to the Brookfield Zoo. Look it up. He's a pretty amazing beast.
loganteal27205 2 months ago
@loganteal27205 I stay say he's a chimpanzee........
Darthbelal 2 days ago
This gorilla is Willie B the longest living gorilla ever
0wNrFTW 2 months ago
I was three in 1971, yet I remember that commercial!
usagoodbyeisayhello 2 months ago
This commercial should be used today! It is EPICly great.
bobbyluciano 2 months ago
"It's that damn TV Guide again!"
lol, from Apollo 13
maxpowers518 4 months ago
This is a video of obama at his first high school job.
OBAMASTINKSLIKEANAPE 5 months ago
@OBAMASTINKSLIKEANAPE I was thinking the exact same thing!
alphabetsoupsandwich 1 month ago
This was neither a gorilla nor a guy in a gorilla suit - it was a real chimpanzee. A few years after this ad started, American Tourister issued a PR statement through the ASPCA. There was a rumor they had starved the chimp and put food inside the case - they hadn't. He just loved to play rough.
FelchBelcher 8 months ago 2
Filmed in Tarpon Springs, FL area.
morrisonAV 9 months ago
@morrisonAV Was this really filmed in Tarpon Springs? What an incredibly small world!
AnemicChia 5 months ago
@AnemicChia I did a photo shoot there back in the '90s and the staff said that the ad was done there.
morrisonAV 5 months ago
he says "brutal cab drivers" Taxi Driver FTW
Childist2 1 year ago
Thank you for saving this. I remember first seeing this on TV with my Dad back when I was child. We both laughed so hard that it became a memorable part of our lives. But kowing now what we did not appreciate then, I can say that I feel bad for the "Gorilla" (actually a male adult chimp) and the conditions that he was forced to live in. I hope that he was one of the lucky ones that at least made it to an outdoor enclosure and had the pleasure of interacting with others of his own kind.
f47lbx3 1 year ago
@f47lbx3 Well, it looks like they cast a guy in a gorilla suit to do the commercial, not a real gorilla. I remember seeing this commercial when my family would watch "Candid Camera" and being totally convinced that the "gorilla" was real, but I'm glad that it ended up being a guy in a suit. :)
yessong69 11 months ago
perfect analogy for alcoholism...guess who is the alcoholic
digaponyinc 1 year ago