Tarzan Series Star Ron Ely Dies At 86, Daughter Says ‘Lost One Of The Greatest Men’
Veteran actor Ron Ely, the Tenax native who famously played the Lord of the Jungle in the first Tarzan television series, has passed away at 86.
His daughter, Kirsten Ely, took the news to Instagram and confirmed it with a long emotional note. According to The New York Times, Ron Ely was at one of his daughters’ homes near Santa Barbara when he breathed his last on September 29. However, details about how he died have not been revealed.
On Wednesday, Kirsten shared a series of pictures of her father from childhood days and recent times. “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,” she wrote.
Calling her father a “hero,” Kirsten went on to share that while the world knew him as an “actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader” who had a great impact on others, Ely was just a “dad” and a “honour” sent by God. “My father was my world – and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and ridiculously funny. He was stoic and sensitive. He was dynamic and powerful. He was my role model and inspiration. He was humble and inherently received respect – the respect he so deserved,” she added.
Getting emotional at a point, Kirsten continued, “s that. My greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother. It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul.”
More About The Tarzan Actor
It is worth mentioning that Ron Ely was featured as the iconic Tarzan on the NBC show from 1966 to 1968. Later, he also worked on shows like The Love Boat, Wonder Woman, and Fantasy Woman. He also worked in films like Doc Savage: The Man of Iron and Bronze, followed by his most recent onscreen role with Expecting Amish (2014).
Apart from his professional life, the actor’s personal life was also surrounded by a major controversy. In October 2019, his second wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was stabbed to death in their Santa Barbara home by their 30-year-old son Cameron. Following calls of a “family disturbance,” the police arrived at the spot and killed Cameron, whom they believed “posed a threat.”