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Ron Ely, First TV's Tarzan Actor, Dies at 86

Oct 24, 2024, 01:48 AM

Ron Ely, the tall, muscular actor best known for portraying Tarzan in the 1960s NBC television series from 1966 to 1968, has died on September 29 at the age of 86. His daughter, Kirsten, confirmed his passing with an emotional tribute. Ely was the first actor to portray Tarzan on television, defining the character for a generation of viewers. He performed his own stunts on the show, which led to numerous injuries; reflecting on the series, he once said, "I was mentally and physically worn out. I had so many muscle pulls and tears and busted shoulders, wrists, and bones. Every part of me had been hurt." In 1975, he starred as the comic book hero Clark Savage Jr. in "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze." Ely's later years were marked by personal tragedy; in 2019, his wife Valerie was killed by their son, who was then shot by police. His daughter stated that his death reunites him with his wife and son.