Renowned actor Ron Ely, best known for his role as Tarzan, has passed away at the age of 86. The news was shared on Instagram by his daughter, Kristen Cassale Ely, on Wednesday, October 23. The BBC reported that Ely died on September 29 at his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California. It took nearly a month for his family to confirm the news publicly.
Ron Ely became a household name in the 20th century, thanks to his appearances in several popular TV series and movies. However, it was his portrayal of Tarzan that cemented his place in Hollywood history. While filming the Tarzan series, Ely endured several injuries, including multiple broken bones. He was also attacked by wild animals during production.
The Tarzan series aired on NBC Television from 1966 to 1968 and later gained global popularity after being dubbed in various languages and broadcast in numerous countries. Ely’s performance in the series remains iconic, leaving an indelible mark on fans worldwide.
