Ron Ely, renowned for his role as the suave and educated version of Tarzan in the 1960s television series aired by NBC, passed away on September 29, 2024. He was 86 years old and died at his residence in Los Alamos, California.
His death was announced by his daughter Kirsten Casale Ely. She hailed her father as “an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader” who emanated a “powerful wave of positive influence” wherever he went.
Ely’s portrayal of Tarzan from 1966 to 1968 was notable for its distinct interpretation. His Tarzan was an educated bachelor who had chosen to leave civilization and return to the African jungle where he was brought up. A key departure from previous renditions was that his character did not resort to monosyllabic grunts for communication.
Born in Texas, Ely executed his own stunts during the two-season, 57-episode span of the show, frequently interacting with wild animals. The physical exertion from the role left him “physically and mentally worn out” by the time the series concluded.
Following Tarzan, Ely pursued his acting career, starring in the 1975 movie “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze” and hosting the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981. He retired from acting in 2001 to dedicate time to his family, but made a brief comeback in 2014 for the TV movie “Expecting Amish.”
Ely’s life was marred by tragedy in October 2019 when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was fatally stabbed at their home by their 30-year-old son Cameron. The latter was subsequently shot and killed by the police. Ely and his daughters later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and deputies, but a jury ruled that the officers had acted in self-defense.
Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirsten Casale Ely and Kaitland Ely Sweet. At the time of his death, he was recuperating from a stroke that had occurred around the same time as the 2019 tragedy.