Sunday, February 16, 2025

Tarzan TV Star Passes Away at 86

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Ron Ely, the strikingly attractive and charismatic Texan who embodied the legendary Lord of the Jungle in the inaugural television series depicting Tarzan, has passed away, as confirmed by his daughter Kirsten to Fox News Digital. He was 86 years old.

Ely departed this life on September 29 at his daughter’s residence in proximity to Santa Barbara, as reported by The New York Times reported.

In addition to his role as Tarzan, Ely served as the host of the Miss America pageant during the years 1980 and 1981, succeeding the long-time emcee Bert Parks, and later helmed the syndicated game show Face the Music.

Standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches, Ely, with his striking blue eyes, appeared alongside Clint Walker in The Night of the Grizzly and starred opposite Ursula Andress in Once Before I Die in 1966, just prior to his casting as Tarzan in an NBC series produced by Sy Weintraub.

Ely was offered the role of Tarzan after former NFL linebacker Mike Henry abruptly abandoned the project, following an unfortunate incident involving a chimp. Reflecting on his initial hesitation to accept the iconic role, Ely later recounted, “I thought, ‘No way do I want to step into that bear trap. You do Tarzan and you are stamped for life.’ And I was certainly right!” Encouraged by his agent to seize the opportunity, he soon found himself en route to Brazil to film the pilot episode.

The series, which incorporated filming in Central America and Mexico, premiered in September 1966, and Ely executed his own stunts throughout its two-season, 57-episode duration, noting the difficulty in finding a suitable stunt double given his scant costume.

Ely later expressed relief at the conclusion of the series in March 1968, remarking on the toll it took on his physical and mental well-being. “I was mentally and physically worn out,” he stated, acknowledging the numerous injuries he sustained during filming.

Born Ronald Pierce Ely on June 21, 1938, in Hereford, Texas, he graduated from Amarillo High School in 1956 before briefly attending the University of Texas at Austin. Never fully feeling at home in academia, Ely wandered westward to pursue a career in acting, ultimately making his screen debut in the 1958 film adaptation of South Pacific before signing with 20th Century Fox.

Throughout his career, Ely played multifaceted roles across film and television, contributing significantly to the entertainment industry. Tragically, on October 15, 2019, his second wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was murdered by their son in a horrifying incident that shook his family.

In the words of his daughter Kirsten, “My father was a hero to many. An actor, writer, coach, and mentor, he wielded an extraordinary influence wherever he roamed. His indelible impact on others is unparalleled; there was something genuinely magical about him.” Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirsten and Kaitland.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Charismatic /ˌkærɪzˈmætɪk/ (adjective): Having a magnetic charm or appeal.
  2. Embodied /ɪmˈbɒdid/ (verb): Represented or expressed something in a tangible form.
  3. Proximity /prɒkˈsɪmɪti/ (noun): Nearness in space time or relationship.
  4. Stunts /stʌnts/ (noun): A difficult or dangerous feat performed for entertainment.
  5. Toll /toʊl/ (noun): The extent of damage or loss caused by an event.
  6. Indelible /ɪnˈdɛlɪbəl/ (adjective): Making a mark that cannot be erased or removed.

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