Ron Ely, who starred as the educated and sophisticated Tarzan in NBC’s 1960s television series, died on September 29, 2024, at his home in Los Alamos, California. He was 86.
His daughter Kirsten Casale Ely announced his death. She described her dad as “an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader” who created a “powerful wave of positive influence” wherever he went.
From 1966 to 1968, Ely brought a unique interpretation to the jungle hero, portraying Tarzan as an educated bachelor who had grown tired of civilization and returned to the African jungle where he was raised. Unlike previous portrayals, his character didn’t communicate in monosyllabic grunts.
The Texas native performed his stunts during the show’s two-season, 57-episode run, working directly with wild animals. The role’s physical demands took their toll, and Ely was “physically and mentally worn out” when the series ended.
After Tarzan, Ely continued his acting career, starring in the 1975 film “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze” and hosting the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981. He retired from acting in 2001 to focus on his family, briefly returning in 2014 for the TV movie “Expecting Amish.”
In October 2019, Ely’s life was marked by loss when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was stabbed to death at their home by their 30-year-old son Cameron, who was subsequently shot and killed by police. Ely and his daughters later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and deputies, though a jury ultimately ruled the officers had acted in self-defense.
Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirsten Casale Ely and Kaitland Ely Sweet. At the time of his death, he had been recovering from a stroke that he suffered around the time of the 2019 tragedy.
