Sammy first lived at a Miami tourist attraction owned by an orangutan breeder. When he was only 18 months old, he was sold (along with infant Geri) to a Los Angeles trainer who worked chimpanzees in Hollywood.

Sammy and Geri grew up together in the entertainment world working in many commercials and TV shows (such as Baywatch). They also starred in several movies (The Flintstones and Sammy's most famous movie, Dunston Checks In where Sammy played the part of Dunston). When Sammy became too strong and dangerous to work, he was retired to a small cage at the trainer's compound where he became a breeder.