Farewell to Tarzan: Actor Ron Ely, “Tarzan” Dies at 86!
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Ron Ely, Star of 1960s 'Tarzan', Passes Away at 86.
Ron Ely, the American actor renowned for his portrayal of Tarzan in the 1960s television series, has passed away at the age of 86. Ely’s daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post, saying, “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known and I have lost my dad.”
Ely rose to fame playing the titular character in ‘Tarzan’, a series that aired on NBC from 1966 to 1968. Known for his physicality, he performed many of his own stunts, which resulted in several injuries, including broken bones. His commitment to authenticity also saw him involved in dangerous encounters with animals on set.
After stepping away from acting in 2001, Ely pursued a new creative path as a writer. He authored two mystery novels, demonstrating his talent beyond the screen. However, he made a brief return to acting in 2014, appearing in the TV movie; Expecting Amish, where he played an elder in the Amish community.
Throughout his career, Ely also made appearances in several popular television programs of the 1980s, including; The Love Boat, a lighthearted comedy set on a cruise ship, and Wonder Woman, where he starred alongside Lynda Carter. Additionally, Ely became a familiar face to many as the host of the Miss America pageant during the early 1980s. It was during this time that he met his second wife, Valerie Lundeen, with whom he had three children.
Born in Texas in 1938, Ely’s personal life included early marriage to his high school sweetheart in 1959, though the union ended two years later. His second marriage to Lundeen brought both joy and tragedy. In 2019, the family was struck by a devastating incident when their son, Cameron, fatally stabbed Lundeen at their California home. Responding officers deemed Cameron a threat and shot him. Ely later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police, but the court ruled that the officers had acted in selfdefense.
Ely passed away on September 29 at his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California. His daughter announced the news publicly on October 25, writing, “My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader.”
Reflecting on her personal relationship with her father, Kirsten added, “I knew him as my dad and what a heaven-sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.” Ely’s legacy, spanning acting, writing, and family life, leaves a lasting impact, both on those who knew him personally and the audiences who admired his work.
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