On October 23, 2024, the showbiz world said goodbye to Ron Ely, the actor of the title character in NBC’s Tarzan series in the 1960s. Ely died at 86, leaving behind him a life of athleticism, Hollywood adventure, and family tragedy. This was announced through social media by his daughter, Kirsten Ely, in a heartbreaking statement, referring to her father as “One of the greatest men”—a description that is not unique to her but is shared by a multitude of his followers of the extensive and multi-faceted career he enjoyed.
The Ely Voyage into Hollywood
The career of Ely took flight when he acquired the role of Tarzan in the 1966-1968 television series. To be more precise, the role affirmed him as an action hero of Hollywood in his prime time. Unlike a majority of his peers, Ely ensured he did most of the stunts personally, thus gaining several injuries, though it locked his reputation as a hardworking and an ultracompetent actor. With towering height towering 6’4, and a muscular man within the Hollywood standards, he was perfect for the role of the jungle hero. Ely continued making sporadic film appearances, which included the 1975 cult favorite Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, where he played the pulp fiction hero Clark Savage Jr., another role that utilized his rugged charisma in an adventurous persona.
Ely was more than a screen actor. Over the years, he did writing and hosting, too. He wrote several mystery novels and hosted the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s. He remained a figure in pop culture long after he retired from the screen, and his legacy was indeed diverse and multi-faceted.
Personal Tragedy and His Later Years
While Ron Ely was privileged to have a career that many others would envy, his personal life was not without an unspeakable tragedy. In 2019, his 35-year wife, Valerie Lundeen, was killed in a horrific domestic incident at their Santa Barbara home. Their son, Cameron, was identified as the assailant and was shot and killed by police at the scene. Ely later filed a lawsuit against the police action in the shooting, but charges were never filed against the officers involved. The incident cast a pall over Ely’s later years, though he remained a respected figure in Hollywood circles.
In 2024, Ely died peacefully at the home of one of his daughters. His death, which took place on September 29th this year, was kept in privacy until such time as the family felt ready to share the news. As his daughter Kirsten paid her respects, it let loose a sense memory for the fans and professionals alike as the world revisited Ely’s contribution to entertainment and his dignified strength after personal losses.
A Reflection on Ely’s Impact
Ely’s death, to many who loved classic adventure television, marks the end of an era. His Tarzan was described by some as one of the smarter, more nuanced versions of the character ever brought to screen, with a good balance between the wild man and the educated, noble figure who chose to live in the jungle. His willingness to do dangerous stunts added much authenticity to the screen that viewers loved.
Besides his screen roles, Ely’s versatility as an actor, author, and host only underlined his many-sided talent. Amidst personal tragedies which befell him, he remained respected in the industry for his warmth, kindness, and professionalism.
But though tinged with tragedy, his life has stood out for resilience and devotion both to his craft and to the family. The death of Ely serves as a reminder of just how insubstantial Hollywood stardom can be, but his work-most notably his iconic portrayal of Tarzan-ensures his indelible mark will last generations hence.
A Hero On and Off Screen
While Ely will never be forgotten for days of swinging through the jungle, to those who knew him as a man, he was a man of great integrity and heart. The industry has lost not only an actor but also a man who lived with great honor, great grace, and great dignity, even in the most trying of times. In the end, it’s these qualities that really define Ron Ely’s legacy, both on and off-screen.
