In brief
The iconic actor, who captivated audiences with his adventurous spirit, is remembered for both his television legacy and his personal life marked by dramatic events.
Ron Ely, the iconic actor best known for his role as Tarzan in the 1966 NBC television series, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news through an emotional Instagram tribute, declaring, "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad."Ely's portrayal of the legendary jungle hero stayed in audiences' hearts even decades after the series ended in 1968. His dedication to realism often led him into dangerous situations while performing stunts, resulting in several injuries. After an accomplished acting career that lasted until 2001, Ely turned his talents to writing, converting his creative visions into two published mystery novels. He made a brief return to the screen in 2014 in the television film "Expecting Amish," taking on the role of an Amish elder. In addition to his legendary role in Tarzan, Ely made appearances in popular 1980s shows like “The Love Boat” and starred alongside Lynda Carter in “Wonder Woman.” Born in Texas in 1938, Ely had a tumultuous personal life, having married his high school sweetheart in 1959, only to divorce two years later. His second marriage to Valerie Lundeen began in the early 1980s, after they met during his hosting gig at the Miss America pageant. Tragically, Lundeen was murdered in 2019 by their son, Cameron, who was later shot by police when he became a threat. Ely initially filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department, claiming they acted recklessly, but a judge ruled that the officers acted in self-defense. Ron Ely passed away in his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California, on September 29. The heartfelt tribute from his daughter highlighted his multifaceted life, as she described him as "an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader," stating, "To me, he hung the moon."
