In brief
Ron Ely, the iconic star of the 1960s "Tarzan" television show, has passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, announced the news through an emotional Instagram post, stating, "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad." Ely played the legendary character on NBC from 1966 to 1968, where he frequently performed his own stunts, leading to several broken bones and encounters with animal attacks. After retiring in 2001, he ventured into writing, publishing two mystery novels, and made a brief return to acting in 2014 with the film "Expecting Amish." Beyond "Tarzan", Ely had memorable roles in popular shows like "The Love Boat" and "Wonder Woman." Born in Texas in 1938, Ely had a complex personal life, marrying twice and experiencing tragic family loss when his second wife was murdered by their son in 2019, resulting in a wrongful death lawsuit against the police. Ely died at home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, on September 29, with his daughter reflecting on his legacy as a hero, actor, and loving father.
Ron Ely, Tarzan Star, Passes Away at 86Tributes pour in for the beloved actor known for his adventurous role in the iconic 1960s series.Ron Ely, the iconic star of the 1960s "Tarzan" television show, has passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, announced the news through an emotional Instagram post, stating, "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad." Ely played the legendary character on NBC from 1966 to 1968, where he frequently performed his own stunts, leading to several broken bones and encounters with animal attacks. After retiring in 2001, he ventured into writing, publishing two mystery novels, and made a brief return to acting in 2014 with the film "Expecting Amish." Beyond "Tarzan", Ely had memorable roles in popular shows like "The Love Boat" and "Wonder Woman." Born in Texas in 1938, Ely had a complex personal life, marrying twice and experiencing tragic family loss when his second wife was murdered by their son in 2019, resulting in a wrongful death lawsuit against the police. Ely died at home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, on September 29, with his daughter reflecting on his legacy as a hero, actor, and loving father.
