Ron Ely, Iconic Tarzan Star, Passes Away at 86

Ron Ely, famed for portraying Tarzan, has died at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy in film, television, and literature.

 

Ron Ely, the iconic actor who gained fame in the 1960s through his role on the NBC series "Tarzan," passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, commemorated him with heartfelt words on Instagram, expressing deep personal loss and describing him as one of the greatest men ever known.

Ely's portrayal of the jungle hero, which aired from 1966 to 1968, was marked by his dedication, often performing his own stunts, which led to numerous injuries and harrowing encounters with animals during filming. After retiring from the acting spotlight in 2001, he explored writing, successfully publishing two mystery novels.

While he made a brief return to the screen in 2014 with "Expecting Amish," where he played an Amish elder, Ely also had guest appearances on multiple other television shows, including "The Love Boat" and "Wonder Woman."

Born in Texas in 1938, Ely's personal life included a high school marriage that lasted only two years and a second marriage to Valerie Lundeen. The couple had three children together. Tragedy struck in 2019 when Lundeen was fatally attacked by their son, Cameron, who was subsequently shot by police after threatening officers. Despite the loss, Ely pursued a wrongful death lawsuit against the police, which a judge dismissed in favor of the defendants.

Ely passed away at his residence in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California on September 29, leaving behind a multifaceted legacy as an actor, author, and family man. His daughter expressed a heartfelt tribute, stating, "He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader," affirming her admiration for the man she simply called "Dad."