SANTA BARBARA, CA — Ron Ely, best known for his role as Tarzan in the popular NBC series that aired from 1966 to 1968, has died at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Ely, confirmed the news in a statement, revealing that he passed away peacefully at home on September 29, surrounded by family.
In an Instagram post, Kirsten described her father as "one of the greatest men to ever live" and a personal idol. She reflected on his ability to bring positivity into every situation and shared that his life was a testament to perseverance and integrity. "I’m doing my best to walk in my father's footsteps," she wrote.
Kirsten Ely announces the passing of her father, Rob Ely, in an Instagram post
(Credit: instagram.com/blonderambitions)
Ely’s acting career began in the late 1950s, but his iconic portrayal of Tarzan brought him widespread recognition. He starred in 57 series episodes, which became a cultural touchstone. His other appearances included roles in "Wonder Woman," "The Love Boat," and "L.A. Law," as well as films like "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze."
Born on June 21, 1938, Ely had previously appeared in films such as "South Pacific" and "The Fiend Who Walked the West" before landing his role as Tarzan. His early television credits included guest spots on popular series like "Father Knows Best" and "How to Marry a Millionaire."
In addition to his acting career, Ely was also a writer and authored a pair of novels in his later years. Despite his accomplishments, his life took a tragic turn in 2019 when his son, Cameron, was involved in an incident. Cameron, reportedly suffering from early stages of CTE, stabbed Ely's wife, Valerie, before being shot and killed by Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies.
Following the incident, Ely sued the sheriff's department, alleging that deputies failed to provide necessary medical aid after the stabbing and shooting.
Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirsten and Kaitland.
"The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known," Kristen Ely stated, reflecting on her father's legacy.
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