In brief
Ron Ely, who captivated audiences in the 1960s NBC series "Tarzan," has lost his life at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, paid tribute to him on Instagram, expressing her deep sorrow over the loss. Ely's portrayal of Tarzan showcased his adventurous spirit, performing his own stunts that led to numerous injuries during filming, while the show ran from 1966 to 1968.
After retiring from acting in 2001, Ely ventured into writing, releasing two mystery novels. He briefly returned to the screen in 2014 with a role in "Expecting Amish." His appearances in various TV shows, including "The Love Boat" and "Wonder Woman," further solidified his status in popular culture. Born in Texas in 1938, Ely had a brief first marriage shortly after high school, and later married Valerie Lundeen, with whom he had three children. A tragic incident marked his life when Lundeen was killed by their son in 2019, leading to a wrongful death lawsuit, which was ultimately ruled in favor of police self-defense. Ely passed away in Los Alamos, California, on September 29, with his daughter remembering him not only as a performer but also as a devoted family man and mentor. “He hung the moon,” she honored in her heartfelt message about her father, whose impact will be remembered by many.
