In brief
Ron Ely, recognized widely for his titular role in the classic 1960s television series “Tarzan,” has died at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news via Instagram, expressing profound loss and respect for her father's impactful life. Ely's portrayal of the adventurous jungle hero captivated audiences on NBC from 1966 to 1968, with the actor famously performing his own stunts, which sometimes resulted in serious injuries and encounters with dangerous animals.
After stepping away from acting in 2001, Ely ventured into the literary world, authoring two mystery novels. He made a notable return in 2014 through a television film, “Expecting Amish,” playing an Amish elder. Besides “Tarzan,” Ely had guest roles in popular series during the 1980s, including “The Love Boat” and “Wonder Woman” alongside Lynda Carter.Born in Texas in 1938, Ely experienced both personal triumphs and tragedies. He married his high school sweetheart in 1959, though they separated shortly after. His second marriage to Valerie Lundeen in the early 1980s led to the birth of three children, but it was marked by heartbreak when Lundeen was tragically killed by their son in 2019, an incident that led Ely to file a wrongful death lawsuit against law enforcement, which was dismissed after a self-defense ruling.Ely's life came to a close at his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara on September 29. His daughter honored him in her heartfelt post, calling him a hero not just on-screen but as a devoted family man and mentor. She declared, “To me, he hung the moon.” As fans and family remember Ely’s significant contributions to entertainment, his legacy as Tarzan and a cherished parent lives on.
