Ron Ely, Star of the “Tarzan” Series, Passes Away at 86, Five Years After the Tragic Deaths of His Wife and Son.

Fans are heartbroken after receiving the tragic news of Ron Ely’s passing. The beloved actor was famously known for his iconic role as Tarzan in the 1966 NBC series. In addition to his acting career, he was a talented novelist who wrote several mystery novels. But what exactly led to Ron Ely’s death?

The sad news surfaced when his daughter, Kristen, took to social media to pay tribute to her father. It was disclosed that he passed away at one of her homes near Santa Barbara, California, though the exact cause of his death has not yet been revealed.

Kristen’s heartfelt tribute to her father has deeply touched fans around the world. In her emotional message, she referred to him as the “greatest” man in the world. She expressed her admiration, saying, “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.”

She continued, “The impact he had on others is something I have never witnessed in any other person—there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him. I knew him as my dad, and what a heaven-sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.”

Ely began his acting career in the late 1950s, landing minor roles in films and shows such as South Pacific and The Fiend Who Walked the West. However, his career truly took off when he was cast as Tarzan in the NBC series in 1966, which brought him international fame for two seasons. Beyond this iconic role, he is also remembered for his performances in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, Sea Hunt, and The Aquanauts.

Despite his legendary status, Ely stepped away from acting in 2001 to focus on his family. His last on-screen appearance was in the 2014 film Expecting Amish. In addition to his acting work, he authored two mystery novels: Jake Sands: Night Shadows (1994) and East Beach (1995).