Legendary Tarzan actor Ron Ely passes away at 86
In a heartbreaking news, US actor Ron Ely, famous for his portrayal of Tarzan in the iconic 1960s television series, has breathed his last at the age of 86.
“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known — and I have lost my dad,” expressed the actor’s daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, in a poignant Instagram post.
The Tarzan series originally aired on NBC television network from 1966 to 1968, during which time Ely faced numerous challenges, breaking bones and even fending off animal attacks while performing his own stunts.
Post his retirement from acting in 2001, Ely ventured into writing and penned two mystery novels.
Despite his hiatus from acting, Ely made a comeback for a television film titled Expecting Amish in 2014, portraying the character of an Amish elder.
During the 1980s, he graced the screens in popular TV shows like The Love Boat and Wonder Woman alongside the iconic Lynda Carter.
Born in Texas in 1938, Ely tied the knot with his high school sweetheart in 1959, only to part ways two years later.
He also had a stint as the host of the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s, where he crossed paths with his future wife Valerie. The couple went on to have three children together.
Ely passed away at his residence in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California on 29 September.
Sharing the heartbreaking news on Instagram, his daughter reflected, “My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader.”
She further added, “I knew him as my dad — and what a heaven sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.” — BBC
