Ron Ely, Tarzan star whose life was shrouded in tragedy, dies aged 86 (2024)

Ron Ely, who played Tarzan in the 1960s TV show, has died at the age of 86.

Ely also played a starring role in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronzeand went on to host the telecast of theMiss Americapageant.

His daughter Kirsten confirmed the news to Fox News Digital in a statement.

‘The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,’ she said.

‘My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader.

‘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. This is how the world knew him.

‘I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.’

She continued: ‘My father’s life story was one of relentless perseverance, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved.

‘It was also a story of joy and love – something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place.

‘I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me,’ she added.

‘I am picking up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of him – and cementing those firmly in place before I pick up the rest of the broken bits. It makes me feel like part of him is still here – and I need that – and the world needs that.’

In 2019 Ely’s life turned to tragedy when his wife, Valerie Lundeen, was stabbed to death by the couple’s son Cameron, who police subsequently shot 24 times and killed aged 30.

Valerie Lundeen, a former Miss Florida pageant winner, was found dead aged 62 at the couple’s Hope Ranch property in Santa Barbara.

They were married for 35 years and had three children together: Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron.

The couple became grandparents for the first time in 2018 when their daughter Kaitland gave birth to her first child, a little boy.

Born on June 21 1938 in Texas, Ely began his screen career in the 1958 film Navigator, the film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific.

In 1966 he won the lead role in the Tarzan TV series, for which he performed his own stunts and was bitten by lions in the process.

He took over the gig from former NFL linebacker Mike Henry, who had played the role in the 1960s Tarzan films, but left after he was bitten by a chimp.

When the show ended two years after he took up the role, Ely said: ‘Quite frankly, I don’t know that I could have even done anymore.’

He continued: ‘I was mentally and physically worn out. At the very least I would have needed a few months to recover. My body was a wreck. I had so many muscle pulls and tears and busted shoulders, wrists and bones. Every part of me had been hurt.’

6ft 4 Ely appeared opposite Clint Walker inThe Night of the Grizzlyand with Ursula Andress inOnce Before I Die.

He also appeared as Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt and as Mike Madison in The Aquanauts.

Ely retired from acting in 2001 apart from a brief appearance in TV movie Expecting Amish in 2014.

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On his brief return in 2014, he told the Charlotte Observer that year: ‘I stepped out of acting to raise a family and be able to spend more time with them here in Santa Barbara.’

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Ron Ely, Tarzan star whose life was shrouded in tragedy, dies aged 86 (6)

Ron Ely, Tarzan star whose life was shrouded in tragedy, dies aged 86 (2024)
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