(PatriotNews.net) – Ron Ely, best known for playing Tarzan on TV in the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 86. His family reported that the actor died on September 29 at his home in Los Alamos, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ely’s big break came when he took over the role of Tarzan in the TV series that aired from 1966 to 1968. Originally, the part was meant for former NFL player Mike Henry, but Henry had to drop out after being injured by a chimpanzee on set. Although Ely hesitated at first, fearing the role would limit his career, his agent convinced him to take it.
Ely went all-in on the role, doing his own stunts throughout the series. Filming took place in locations like Brazil, Central America, and Mexico, which left Ely physically exhausted. “I was completely worn out,” he later admitted. “My body was a mess—torn muscles, broken bones, busted shoulders. Every part of me got hurt.” By the time the series was canceled after two seasons, Ely said he was relieved.
In 1975, Ely starred as another classic hero, Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze. However, he believed the movie didn’t succeed because the studio didn’t support it. Ely shifted gears in the 1980s, becoming the host of the Miss America Pageant in 1980 and 1981, filling in for longtime emcee Bert Parks. He also hosted the game show Face the Music during that time.
Though most known for TV, Ely’s acting career started in film. He first appeared in South Pacific in 1958, which led to a contract with 20th Century Fox. Ely had roles in TV movies like The Night of the Grizzly and Once Before I Die in 1966, and later made guest appearances on shows such as Wonder Woman and Superboy.
Born on June 21, 1938, in Hereford, Texas, Ely married twice. His second marriage to Valerie Lundeen ended in tragedy in 2019, when their son, Cameron, fatally stabbed her. Cameron, later killed by police, was found to have early-stage CTE.
Ely is survived by his daughters Kirsten and Kaitland. “He touched lives in ways I’ve never seen before,” Kirsten said. “He was a hero, not just on TV, but in real life.”
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