American actor Ron Ely, who was best known for his role as Tarzan in the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 86. He was born in Texas in 1938 and starred in the hit show from 1966 to 1968. During the filming of the series, Ely suffered injuries from performing his own stunts and was even attacked by animals on set.
Ely’s daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, announced his death on Instagram, describing him as a hero and a great man. She paid tribute to her father, highlighting his various roles as an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader. Ely’s daughter remembered him as her dad and expressed her deep love and admiration for him.
In addition to his role as Tarzan, Ely also played the lead in the film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze in the 1970s. He later appeared in popular TV shows like Love Boat and Wonder Woman. By the early 1980s, Ely gained recognition for hosting the Miss America pageant. Despite retiring from acting in 2001, he returned briefly for a television film called Expecting Amish in 2014.
Ely had a tumultuous personal life, having been married twice. His second wife, Valerie Lundeen, whom he met while hosting the Miss America pageant, was tragically killed by their son at their California home in 2019. The son was shot dead by the police, leading Ely to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the force. However, the judge ruled that the officers had acted in self-defence.
Throughout his career, Ron Ely entertained audiences with his talent and charisma. His legacy as Tarzan and his contributions to the entertainment industry will always be remembered by his fans and loved ones. May he rest in peace.
