Former "Tarzan" star Ron Ely passed away at 86 on Sept. 29 2024 in Los Alamos.
Ron Ely, the tall and muscular actor best known for his role as Tarzan in the 1960s NBC series, has passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared with The Associated Press that he died on September 29 at his home in Los Alamos, California.
Though Ely may not have reached the iconic status of Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimmer who portrayed Tarzan in the 1930s and 1940s, he played a significant role in shaping the character's enduring image, famously depicted wearing a loincloth and without a shirt, a look later popularized by Disney.
In an emotional Instagram tribute, Kirsten described her father as "an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader," emphasizing the positive impact he had on those around him. “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,” she wrote.
Ely's life was marked by tragedy in 2019 when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was fatally stabbed by their son, Cameron Ely, who was then shot and killed by police. Ron Ely, who was at home during the incident, contested the prosecutor's findings that the police's actions were justified. His attorney, John Burris, raised concerns about the basis for the shooting, questioning whether Cameron posed a threat at the time.
Ely met Valerie while hosting the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s; she was a former Miss Florida. They married in 1984 and raised three children together. Ely stepped back from acting in 2001 to dedicate more time to his family. In a 2013 interview, he expressed his desire to be present for his children’s activities and hinted at a potential return to acting, which he did briefly in the 2014 TV movie “Expecting Amish.”
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal, via Getty Images
Ely's portrayal of Tarzan was distinctive; unlike the character's typical depiction of grunting and growling, Ely's Tarzan was an articulate man disillusioned with civilization who returned to the African jungle. Ely famously performed his own stunts, interacting closely with the tigers, chimpanzees, and other animals featured in the show.
In a 2013 interview, Ely recounted how he was cast in the role after the original choice, Mike Henry, had an unfortunate incident with a chimpanzee during filming. Initially hesitant about taking on the iconic role, Ely was persuaded by his agent that the show would be successful, leading him to Brazil to shoot the first episode.
Ely also starred in the 1975 action film “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze” and appeared in various TV shows and films, including the 1958 musical “South Pacific.” He authored two mystery novels featuring a detective named Jake Sands: “Night Shadows” in 1994 and “East Beach” in 1995.
Born in Hereford, Texas, and raised in Amarillo, Ely experienced a brief marriage to his high school sweetheart in 1959, which ended in divorce two years later. He is survived by his daughter Kirsten and another daughter, Kaitland Ely Sweet.
