'Tarzan' star Ron Ely dies aged 86, 5 years after tragic death of wife and son

Ron Ely, best known for acting Tarzan Television series, He died aged 86.

Ron's daughter, Kirsten Ely, confirmed the sad news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, October 23. He did not mention how or when the actor died.

“The world has lost one of the best men it has ever known – and I have lost my father,” she wrote in the post. “My father was what 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.”

“The impact she had on others was something I've never seen in any other person — there was something truly magical about her. That's how the world knew her,” he continued.

Continuing, Kirsten said of her father: “I knew him as my father – and what a heaven-sent honor that was to me. He hung the moon. My father was my world – and what an incredible world he created. He was brilliant and funny. He was my role model and inspiration.

He described her life story as one of “relentless perseverance, boundless dedication to her family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those she loved.”

“It was also a story of joy and love – something that everyone close to her was privileged to experience,” she wrote. “Once you knew my father's love, the world became a brighter and more meaningful place. I'm doing my best to walk through this loss with the strength and grace that I know he would have for me. I'm picking up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of his.” Either – and cementing the rest of the broken pieces together makes me think that part of her is still here – and I need it – and the world needs it.”

On a final note, Kirsten said her “greatest comfort is knowing my dad is with my mom and my brother,” referring to the 2019 incident involving Ron's son Cameron and his wife Valerie Ellie. Cameron, 30, is accused of stabbing and killing his mother Valerie on October 15, 2019. Cameron was later shot dead by police.

“This is my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it is etched into my soul,” Kirsten wrote in her tribute. “I will carry all my favorite pieces with pride – until we all meet again.”

Ron starred as the iconic character Tarzan on NBC From 1966 to 1968. Later he appeared in other popular shows including love boat, Fantasy IslandAnd Wonder Woman.

He also acted in the 1975 film Doc Savage: Man of Iron and Bronze. His most recent onscreen role came in a 2014 television movie Looking forward to the Amish. The actor has not appeared on screen since then, although his IMDb page indicates that he is involved in an upcoming project Mesopotamia.

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Years before his death, and about his wife and son, Ron spoke of his family, describing them as close and loving.

In a 2012 interview at Comic-Con with the website Fanboy Planet, Ron detailed his decision to quit acting to spend time with his family and three children. “I am fully committed to my wife and my children,” he said. “That's why I got out of the business because I wanted to spend more time raising my kids.”

In 2013, Ron said Daily Express: “Late in life I had a young family. I decided to stop acting as a writer and work at home, so I could be with the kids at all the schools and attend their sports and stuff.”