I’ve seen lots of lists online showing all the actors who have played Tarzan. (Like this recent one from
Wonderwall.) But there haven’t been many attempts to list all of the ladies who have played
Jane Porter, his love interest.
With the release of the latest big-screen adaptation of the now public-domain novel, I decided it was time to right that wrong.
Some 21 actresses have played Jane in movies (including the silent era) and television shows. Tarzan the Ape Man has had other love interests in films and TV series, but I’m sticking with the “Me Tarzan, you Jane” original.
What follows is a list of actresses who have played the character of Jane in live-action Tarzan movies and TV shows.
Movies
Enid Markey, “Tarzan of the Apes” (1918) and “The Romance of Tarzan” (1918)
Karla Schramm, “The Revenge of Tarzan” (1920) and “The Son of Tarzan” (1920)
Louise Lorraine, “The Adventures of Tarzan” (1921)
Dorothy Dunbar, “Tarzan and the Golden Lion” (1927)
Natalie Kingston, “Tarzan the Tiger” (1929)
Maureen O’Sullivan played Jane in six Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weissmuller, including “Tarzan the Ape Man” (1932), “Tarzan and His Mate” (1934), “Tarzan Escapes” (1936), “Tarzan Finds a Son!” (1939), “Tarzan’s Secret Treasure” (1941) and “Tarzan’s New York Adventure” (1942)
Brenda Joyce played Jane in four Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller, including “Tarzan and the Amazons” (1945), “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman” (1946), “Tarzan and the Huntress” (1947), “Tarzan and the Mermaids” (1948) and “Tarzan’s Magic Fountain” (1949).
Vanessa Brown, “Tarzan and the Slave Girl” (1950)
Virginia Huston, “Tarzan’s Peril” (1951)
Dorothy Hart, “Tarzan’s Savage Fury” (1952)
Joyce MacKenzie, “Tarzan and the She-Devil” (1953)
Vera Miles, “Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle” (1955)
Eve Brent, “Tarzan’s Fight for Life” (1958) and “Tarzan and the Trappers” (1958)
Joanna Barnes, “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1959)
Bo Derek, “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1981)
Andie MacDowell, “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” (1984)
Jane March, “Tarzan and the Lost City” (1998)
Margot Robbie, “The Legend of Tarzan” (2016)
Television
Kim Crosby, “Tarzan in Manhattan” (1989)
Lydie Denier, “Tarzán” (1991–1994)
Sarah Wayne Callies, “Tarzan” (2003)
Photos: Margot Robbie (top), Maureen O’Sullivan, Brenda Joyce, Joyce MacKenzie, Vera Miles, Eve Brent, “Tarzan the Ape Man” (1981) movie poster, Bo Derek, and Andie MacDowell.
