Ron Ely, ‘Tarzan’ Star, Dies at 86

LOS ALAMOS, Calif. — Ron Ely, best known for his iconic role as Tarzan in the 1960s television series, has passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, announced his death on Wednesday, revealing that he died at his home in Los Alamos, California, on September 29th.

“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,” Kirsten wrote in an Instagram post.

A Life in Entertainment

Born on June 21, 1938, in Hereford, Texas, Ely was a towering figure with a physique perfectly suited for action roles. His acting career began in 1958 with a role in the World War II film “South Pacific.” He rose to prominence in the 1960s, appearing in popular television sitcoms like “Father Knows Best,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” and “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.”

Ely’s breakthrough came in 1966 when he landed the lead role in the television series “Tarzan.” He portrayed the legendary jungle hero with intensity and athleticism, performing most of his own stunts. This dedication to his craft came at a cost, however. As Ely himself recounted in a 2013 interview, the physical demands of the role left him with two broken shoulders, two lion bites, and a torn back muscle.

“I was mentally and physically worn out,” Ely said. “At the very least I would have needed a few months to recover. My body was a wreck. I had so many muscle pulls and tears and busted shoulders, wrists and bones. Every part of me had been hurt. I pay for it today when I get out of bed in stages.”

Beyond Tarzan

Following “Tarzan,” Ely continued to act in various roles, including starring as Doc Savage in the 1975 film “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.” He also made appearances in television shows like “Wonder Woman” and “Superboy.” In the early 1980s, Ely hosted the game show “Face The Music” for two seasons.

Ely took a break from acting in the 1990s to focus on his family. He returned to the screen briefly in 2001 with an episode of “Sheena” and his final acting credit was in the 2014 television movie “Expecting Amish.”

Tragedy and Loss

Ely’s personal life was marked by tragedy in 2019 when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was fatally stabbed at their Santa Barbara home by their son, Cameron. Police responded to the scene and fatally shot Cameron. The Ely family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara sheriff’s office, claiming excessive force. In 2022, a jury ruled in favor of the police, finding they acted in self-defense.

Ron Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirsten and Kaitland Sweet, and two grandchildren.

**Share your memories of Ron Ely and his iconic portrayal of Tarzan in the comments below.**