Tarzan actor Ron Ely dies at 86, daughter shares emotional note

US actor Ron Ely, known for the popular 1960s TV show Tarzan, has died at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten, shared the tragic news on social media.

In Short

• Ron Ely, famed for 1960s Tarzan role, died at 86
• Daughter Kirsten shared emotional tribute on Instagram
• He died on September 29

Veteran US actor Ron Ely, known for his portrayal of Tarzan in the 1960s TV series of the same name, has died at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, shared the news in a lengthy and emotional Instagram post on October 23.

Sharing a series of throwback pictures with her late father, Ron Ely's daughter wrote, "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad (sic)."

She continued, "My father was someone that people called a hero. 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. This is how the world knew him (sic)."

Read her full note here:

"I knew him as my dad - and what a heaven-sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.

My father was my world - and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and ridiculously funny. He was stoic and sensitive. He was dynamic and powerful. He was my role model and inspiration. He was humble and inherently received respect - the respect he so deserved.

My father’s life story was one of relentless perseverance, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved. It was also a story of joy and love - something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world has grown to be a brighter and more meaningful place.

I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me. I pick up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of him - and cementing those firmly in place before I pick up the rest of the broken bits. It makes me feel like part of him is still here - and I need that - and the world needs that.

My greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother. It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul. I will proudly carry all of my favorite pieces of them - lovingly cemented into my heart - until we all meet again."

The popular TV show Tarzan originally aired on the NBC television network from 1966 to 1968. During this time, Ron Ely sustained multiple injuries, including broken bones, and was reportedly attacked by animals while performing his own stunts.

After retiring from acting in 2001, Ely pursued a career as an author, publishing two mystery novels. However, he made a brief return to acting in the 2014 film Expecting Amish, where he played an Amish leader.

Ron Ely died at his Los Alamos, California home on September 29.