Ron Ely, best remembered for his role as Tarzan in the iconic 1960s television series of the same name, has died. He was 86.
Ely’s daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, confirmed his death on Instagram, stating:
“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad. My father was referred to as a hero.
“He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader,” she stated.
“He sent a huge wave of positive influence wherever he went. I’ve never seen somebody have such an impact on others; he was simply remarkable.
“This was how the world knew him.”
“I knew him as my father and what a divine honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon,” she added.
“Tarzan” aired on television from 1966 to 1968 and showed a more educated, well-spoken jungle monarch.
According to stories in the New York Times, BBC and USA Today, the actor was notorious for performing the majority of his own stunts, which frequently ended in fractured bones, torn muscles, or animal assaults.
Ely began his career as a supporting actor on popular television shows such as “Father Knows Best,” “How to Marry a Millionaire” and “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” before landing the title part in “Tarzan.”
He then portrayed another pulp hero, Doc Savage, in the 1975 film “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.”
Before retiring in 2001, he had guest appearances on several famous shows including “The Love Boat,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.” and “Fantasy Island.”
He returned to performing in 2014 for the television film “Expecting Amish.”
In addition, he hosted the game program “Face the Music,” presided over the Miss America competition in 1980 and 1981 and penned two detective novels throughout the 1990s.
In October 2019, Ely’s wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely was fatally stabbed at their California home by their son, Cameron.
When police arrived, they shot and killed Cameron, who they claimed constituted a threat.
Ely and his family then sued, claiming that the shooting was unjustified and that Cameron’s hands were up, indicating that he was surrendering.
In 2022, a jury determined that the cops acted in self-defence.
