Ron Ely, Iconic Tarzan Actor, Passes Away at 86

Ron Ely, the towering American actor known for his role as the legendary character Tarzan in the 1960s NBC series, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters), Ely may not have achieved the same level of fame as Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimmer who famously portrayed Tarzan in the films of the 1930s and 1940s. However, Ely played a crucial role in shaping the modern image of this shirtless, loincloth-wearing hero, an archetype further popularized by Disney.

Ely’s death occurred at his residence in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California, on September 29. His daughter, Kirsten Ely, took to Instagram to share the sad news, stating: “My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader.” She continued, “He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person – there was something truly magical about him.” 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 portrayal of Tarzan was unique; unlike the typical depiction of the character with monosyllabic grunts, he brought an educated and articulate persona to the role. This version of Tarzan had grown weary of civilization and returned to the African jungle where he was raised, bringing depth to the character originally created by novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs.

In addition to his iconic role as Tarzan, Ely starred in the 1975 action film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze. Throughout his career, he took on various smaller roles in television and film, including a memorable part in the 1958 musical South Pacific. Ely was also an accomplished author, having penned two mystery novels featuring a detective named Jake Sands: Night Shadows in 1994 and East Beach in 1995.

Tragically, Ely made headlines again in 2019 when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, aged 62, was brutally murdered at their home by their son, Cameron Ely, who was later shot and killed by the police. Ron Ely was present during this horrifying incident and later contested the findings of the prosecutor’s report, which deemed the police shooting of his son as justified. He questioned, “If he didn’t have a gun or he didn’t have a weapon, what was the basis of shooting him?” His attorney, John Burris, added in 2020, “They may have very well thought he was involved in some other activity involving the mom. But that’s not a basis to shoot and kill him. You have to have a lawful basis to do that.”

In the early 1980s, Ely served as the host for the Miss America pageant, where he met his future wife, Valerie, who was then Miss Florida. The couple tied the knot in 1984 and had three children together. Ely made the decision to retire from acting in 2001 to devote more time to his family. He shared in a 2013 interview with London’s Daily Express, “Late in life I had a young family. I decided to stop acting and work at home, as an author, that way I could be with the kids all through school and be able to attend their sports games and things.” While he took a step back from the limelight, he briefly returned to acting in the 2014 TV movie Expecting Amish.

Ron Ely is survived by his daughter Kirsten Casale Ely and another daughter, Kaitland Ely Sweet, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by fans and loved ones alike.