In brief
Ely, remembered as a family man and mentor, leaves behind a legacy of acting and writing.
Ron Ely, renowned for portraying Tarzan in the 1960s television series, has passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news on Instagram, expressing deep sorrow, stating, "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad." Ely's stint as Tarzan, which aired on NBC from 1966 to 1968, was marked by his commitment to performing his own daring stunts, despite enduring numerous injuries and animal attacks.Post his acting career, which ended in 2001, Ely turned to writing, producing two mystery novels. In 2014, he made a fleeting return to the screen in the TV film "Expecting Amish." Ely's fame extended into the '80s as he appeared in popular shows like "The Love Boat" and "Wonder Woman."Born in Texas in 1938, Ely's personal life had its ups and downs; he married and divorced his high school sweetheart within two years. His second marriage to Valerie Lundeen saw them raise three children together, but their family faced tragedy when Lundeen was fatally harmed by their son in 2019. Ron Ely’s battle with the police following this incident ended with a wrongful death lawsuit, dismissed by a judge stating the officers acted in self-defense.Ely peacefully passed away at his home in Los Alamos, California, on September 29. Remembered fondly by his daughter, she highlighted his multi-faceted role as a hero in their lives, saying, "To me, he hung the moon."
