Ron Ely, "Tarzan" from the cult series of the 1960s, dies

At the age of 86, the life of American actor Ron Ely, who gained worldwide fame for playing the main character of the 1960s TV series "Tarzan," has ended. The star passed away on September 29 at his home in Los Angeles, but his family has only just spoken about the loss.

According to the BBC, the tragic news was reported by the artist's daughter, Kirsten Ely, on her social media. She honored her father's memory, noting that he was a man whom others called a "hero."

"The world lost one of the greatest people it has ever known, and I lost my father. He was a man that people called a hero. He was an actor, a writer, a coach, a mentor, a family man, and a leader. I knew him as my father, and it was an honor from heaven," she wrote.

Ron Ely was born in Hereford, Texas on June 21, 1938. He became interested in acting from a young age. At age 20, he took part in the films "South Pacific," "The Outlaw," and later "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker." The celebrity demonstrated his talented acting, so in 1966 he got the lead role in the cult film "Tarzan," which brought him worldwide fame.

Ron Ely was particularly responsible for his acting duties, so he performed all the stunts in the movie independently. Because of this, the star broke his bones several times, and even once was attacked by an animal.

Later, the artist began to be invited to the best films of the time, and in 1980 and 1981 he became the host of the "Miss America" beauty pageant. However, in 2001, he decided to end his acting career and wrote two detective novels. Fans of the celebrity were able to see him on the screens once again when the star took part in the movie "Expecting Amish" in 2014.

Ron Ely had two favorite women in his life. The first was Kathy, whom the actor fell in love with at school and was married to for three years. The second was Miss Florida 1981 Valerie Lundeen, with whom he had three children: Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron.

However, the star's life was not without a family tragedy. Ron Ely's son, 30-year-old Cameron, stabbed his own mother and the actor's wife, 62-year-old Valerie Lundeen, to death in their home. The incident took place in 2019. As a result of the criminal's aggressive behavior, law enforcement officials had to shoot the Tarzan star's descendant, who died on the spot. Ron Ely filed a lawsuit against the police, but the judge ruled that the officers acted in self-defense.

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