Tarzan star Ron Ely dead at 86: Actor's daughter confirms his passing

Ron Ely, best known for his starring role in the 1960s TV show Tarzan, has died at age 86. 

On Wednesday, the actor's daughter, Kirsten, confirmed he passed away peacefully  on September 29 in an emotional tribute, uploaded to her Instagram. 

'The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad,' she captioned a slideshow, which featured photos of them together over the years. 

Kirsten 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.'

Ely went on to rave about the impact her father 'had on others' is a quality she has 'never witnessed in any other person.'

'There was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him,' she said about her dad.

Read More

Moment cops arrive at Tarzan star Ron Ely's home to find the wheelchair bound actor, 82, crying by the body of his wife, 62, after she was stabbed to death by their son

She continued: 'I knew him as my dad - and what a heaven sent honor 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,' Kirsten added,

Kirsten went on to write that her '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 grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place,' 

At this time, she told her followers she is doing her 'best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace' her father would want for her. 

'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,' she concluded. 

Ron's death comes five years after the deaths of his wife, Valerie, and son, Cameron Ely.

In 2019, Ron's son, Cameron, who was 'reportedly suffering from the early stages of CTE, stabbed his mother, Ron's wife, to death,' according to TMZ. 

A year later, Ron filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. 

According to court documents, obtained by People, 'the lawsuit claims that Cameron was trying to surrender to police before they shot him more than 20 times' and that officers 'neglected to give timely medical assistance to Valerie.' 

Initially when calling the police, Ron 'attempted to place the blame on his father.' 

Both Cameron and his mother were pronounced dead at the scene, with their bodies being removed by the Santa Barbara County Coroner's Office the following day.

Ely was not hurt during the altercation but was taken for an evaluation at a nearby hospital before being released the following day.

Valerie and Ron had been married for 35 years and had three children together, Kirsten, Kaitland and Cameron.

Ely featured in a number of TV appearances during the 1960s but found his break playing the lead role in the 1966 NBC series Tarzan.

He also played the title role in 1975 movie Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.

As well as a career studded with occasional parts on TV, Ely hosted the Miss America pageant between 1979 and 1981. He retired from acting in 2001 but did return for a part in a TV movie called Expecting Amish in 2014.

The famed actor said he finished with his on-screen career to spend time with his kids.