Oh, on a trip to the Bronx Zoo I first learned of and saw proboscis monkeys. They were so ugly I immediately 'adopted' them. (Pugs and bulldogs are my favorite dogs). Plus my sis got me a stuffed proboscis monkey on the trip (see my webpage for Jimmy).
Before that, I always enjoyed monkey antics from TV and movies (Every Which Way but Loose!). I don't know really, they seem like a cuddlier, more fun version of people. Yes, I know they can be incredibly violent.
There is so much 'humaness' in the apes/monkeys/gorillas that makes me like them. I don't know, it probably sounds stupid. They make me smile.