US actor Ron Ely, known for his role as Tarzan in the 1960s TV show of the same name, has passed away at the age of 86.
“My dad, one of the greatest men the world has ever known, has left us,” shared the actor’s daughter Kirsten Casale Ely on Instagram.
Tarzan aired on NBC from 1966 to 1968, during which Ely suffered injuries and animal attacks while doing his own stunts.
After retiring from acting in 2001, Ely became an author, publishing two mystery novels. He briefly returned to acting in 2014 for the TV film Expecting Amish.
In the 1980s, he appeared in popular shows like The Love Boat and Wonder Woman.
Born in Texas in 1938, Ely married his high school sweetheart in 1959, but they divorced two years later. He later married Valerie Lundeen, with whom he had three children.
Lundeen was tragically killed by their son in 2019, who was then shot dead by police. Ely filed a lawsuit against the force, but it was ruled that the officers acted in self-defence.
Ely passed away at his home in Santa Barbara, California on 29 September. His daughter described him as a hero, actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader.
“He was my dad – a true honor and privilege. To me, he was everything,” she added.