A beloved television icon who redefined the portrayal of Edgar Rice Burroughs' jungle hero has left an indelible mark on entertainment history.
According to Los Angeles Times, Ron Ely, who captivated audiences as the educated and articulate Tarzan in NBC's 1960s series, died on September 29, 2024, at his Los Alamos, California residence. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, confirmed his passing at age 86.
The muscular actor brought a unique interpretation to the character, departing from the stereotypical grunt-speaking portrayal that audiences had come to expect. Unlike his predecessors, Ely's Tarzan was portrayed as a sophisticated bachelor who chose to return to his jungle roots after becoming disillusioned with modern civilization.
The Texas-born actor's journey to becoming Tarzan was unexpected and almost didn't happen. The role was initially offered to former football player Mike Henry, who faced an unfortunate incident with a chimpanzee during the pilot filming, resulting in a jaw injury.
Ely was brought in as a last-minute replacement despite his initial reservations about being typecast. His commitment to authenticity led him to perform his own stunts, working closely with various wild animals, including tigers and chimpanzees.
The actor's daughter, Kirsten Ely, shared her thoughts about her father's impact through an Instagram post:
He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person — there was something truly magical about him.
After his iconic role as Tarzan, Ely continued to build his career in entertainment. He starred in the 1975 film "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze" and appeared in various television shows and films, including the 1958 musical "South Pacific."
The early 1980s brought significant changes to Ely's life when he hosted the Miss America pageant. During this time, he met Valerie Lundeen, who was Miss Florida at the time. Their marriage in 1984 led to three children.
In 2001, Ely made the conscious decision to step away from acting to focus on his family. During this period, he pursued writing, authoring two mystery novels featuring detective Jake Sands: "Night Shadows" (1994) and "East Beach" (1995).
The actor's life took a devastating turn in 2019 when his wife Valerie was tragically killed by their son Cameron at their Santa Barbara home. The incident ended with Cameron being fatally shot by police, a situation that Ely later questioned through legal channels.
His attorney John Burris, expressed concerns about the justified shooting report in 2020:
If he didn't have a gun or he didn't have a weapon, what was the basis of shooting him? They may have very well thought he was involved in some other activity involving the mom. But that's not a basis to shoot and kill him. You have to have a lawful basis to do that.
Ron Ely's legacy extends far beyond his portrayal of Tarzan. Born in Hereford, Texas, and raised in Amarillo, his life journey included early marriage to his high school sweetheart in 1959, though that union ended in divorce two years later.
The actor's passing marks the end of an era in television history, leaving behind daughters Kirsten Casale Ely and Kaitland Ely Sweet. His contribution to entertainment, particularly his fresh take on the Tarzan character, continues to influence modern interpretations of the iconic role.
