In brief
Ron Ely, the celebrated actor famed for his portrayal of Tarzan in the television series of the same name, has died at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the heartbreaking news via Instagram, noting the immense loss to the world and her personal grief.
Ely's adventure-filled career first took off with the iconic NBC series, which aired from 1966 to 1968. Known for performing his own stunts, he suffered multiple injuries and was frequently in close encounters with wild animals. His acting journey continued until his retirement in 2001, after which he ventured into writing, publishing two mystery novels. In a brief comeback, he appeared in a television film titled Expecting Amish in 2014, portraying an Amish elder.In the 1980s, Ely also made guest appearances in popular shows like The Love Boat and Wonder Woman, showcasing his versatile talent. Born in Texas in 1938, he initially married his high school sweetheart in 1959, but they divorced two years later. He later hosted the Miss America pageant in the early '80s, where he met his second wife, Valerie Lundeen, with whom he had three children.Tragedy struck in 2019 when Lundeen was fatally stabbed by their son, Cameron, who was subsequently shot and killed by police during the confrontation. Ely later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police, but the court ruled in favor of the officers, concluding they had acted in self-defense.Ely passed away in his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California, on September 29. In her heartfelt tribute, Kirsten referred to her father as a hero, speaking to his roles as an actor, author, mentor, and father. "To me, he hung the moon," she added, honoring his legacy as a beloved family man.
