Ron Ely, known for starring in the original “Tarzan” TV series, has died, his daughter Kirsten Ely announced on social media Wednesday. He was 86.
The former actor reportedly died on Sept. 29 at one of his daughter’s homes near Santa Barbara, California, according to The New York Times. USA TODAY was unable to reach representatives for Ely for comment
“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,” Kirsten Ely wrote in her Instagram post as well as a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
The northern Texas-born Ely was known for roles in shows such as “The Aquanauts” as well as films like “The Night of the Grizzly” and the 1975 action movie “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.”
Outside of acting roles, his career also included hosting gigs for both the 1980 and 1981 Miss America pageants, stepping in for longtime host Bert Parks, and the game show “Face the Music” within that two-year period.
He was born on June 21, 1938, in Hereford, Texas. He attended Amarillo High School in Potter County and had a one-year stint as a student University of Texas at Austin before he left for California.
Daughter calls Ron a mentor, leader and hero
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kirsten Ely said those who knew her father would call him a hero, as well as 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,” Kirsten Ely wrote.
She added that she is approaching her grief with “the strength and grace that I know he would want for me” and that she is “picking up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of him.”
“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,” she said. “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.”
Police killed Ely’s son after wife’s fatal stabbing in 2019
Ely’ second wife Valerie Lundeen Ely, 62, was fatally stabbed on Oct. 15, 2019 by their 30-year-old son Cameron Ely at home near Santa Barbara, police said at the time.
Deputies killed Cameron Ely after firing 24 rounds outside the home. After he was dead, officers found playing cards in his pocket along with small rocks, a car key fob, crumpled papers, a bank card, an iPhone, and a plastic bag with cocaine, but no weapons. No charges were filed against the deputies who shot and killed Cameron.
“When (Cameron) disobeyed verbal commands by deputies, sprang to his feet and moved his hands to his waistband as if grabbing a weapon while saying, ‘I have a gun!’ shortly after killing his mother, his actions created a reasonable fear of death or great bodily injury in the minds of (the four deputies),” a district attorney’s report concluded.
In October 2020, Ron Ely and his two daughters, Kirsten and Kaitland, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Santa Barbara County, the Sheriff’s Office and the four deputies, alleging civil-rights violations in connection with the “unjustified use of deadly force and denial of medical care, resulting in the deaths of Cameron Ely and Valerie Lundeen Ely.”
The lawsuit claimed the shooting occurred less than 20 seconds after deputies saw Cameron walk toward them with his hands up, “the universal act of surrender.” The lawsuit stated that Cameron was unarmed and calm and made no threats, and therefore “there was no reason for defendant deputies to use any force, especially deadly force, against Cameron.”
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Contributing: Charles Trepany
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Tarzan’ star Ron Ely dies at 86: Reports
