admin Ron Ely, the tall, muscular actor best known for his role as Tarzan in NBC’s 1960s series, has passed away at 86.
His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news, revealing that her father died on 29 September at his Los Alamos home in Santa Barbara County, California. Though Ely may not have achieved the fame of Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimmer who brought Tarzan to life on the silver screen in the 1930s and ‘40s, Ely’s portrayal helped shape the image of the jungle hero, which was later celebrated by Disney.
“He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader,” Kirsten said in an Instagram tribute. “He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is unlike anything I’ve ever seen – he had a truly magical presence.”
Ely’s life took a tragic turn in 2019 when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was fatally stabbed in their Santa Barbara home by their son, Cameron Ely, aged 30, who was then shot by police. Ron Ely, who was home during the incident, later contested the official findings that deemed the shooting justified.
“If he didn’t have a weapon, what was the justification?” questioned Ely’s lawyer, John Burris, in 2020. “They may have thought he was involved in something else regarding his mother, but that’s not grounds for deadly force. There has to be a lawful basis.”
Ely met Valerie in the early 1980s while hosting the Miss America pageant, where she was representing Florida. They married in 1984, raising three children together. Ely retired from acting in 2001 to focus on his family. He later shared with *London’s Daily Express* in 2013, “I decided to step back from acting to be there for my kids and spend those years at home. As an author, I could be around for their school events and sports matches.”
Ely’s portrayal of Tarzan departed from the typical grunts associated with Edgar Rice Burroughs’ character. Instead, he portrayed an educated man who returned to the jungle in search of simplicity and freedom. Known for his commitment to the role, Ely performed his own stunts, working closely with wild animals like tigers and chimpanzees.
In a 2013 interview with *The Daily Express*, Ely recalled how he was cast after an unfortunate incident on set with the original actor, former American football player Mike Henry. “Henry didn’t get along with the chimpanzees, and during the pilot, a chimp attacked him, injuring his jaw. I was offered the role just days after that incident. I hesitated, thinking, ‘If I do Tarzan, that’s a label for life.’ And I was right! But my agent assured me it was a quality production. By Friday, I was on a plane to Brazil to shoot the first episode.”
Ely briefly returned to the screen in 2014 with the TV movie *Expecting Amish*, but his legacy remains firmly rooted in his portrayal of Tarzan and his powerful presence both on and off screen.
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