Ron Ely, a beloved TV star known for playing Tarzan, has died, leaving fans of the classic adventure series sad and heartbroken.
Ron Ely, the actor who brought the wild and adventurous character of “Tarzan” to life in the 1960s TV show, has passed away at the age of 86.
Ron Ely, the beloved TV star known for playing Tarzan, died peacefully at home on September 29, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from his daughter.
In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, his daughter Kirsten shared her sadness, saying, “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad.”
Along with treasured photos of their time together, Kirsten honored her father, calling him “someone that people called a hero.” She described him as a “mentor, family man, and leader,” highlighting the deep impact he had on those around him.
Kirsten reflected on how her father created a “powerful wave of positive influence” wherever he went, noting that his impact was unique. She wrote, “My father’s life story was one of relentless perseverance, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to help the dreams of those he loved.”
Ron began his acting career in the late 1950s, but he became famous in 1966 when he starred as Tarzan in the TV series. He captivated audiences with his portrayal of the jungle hero in 57 episodes from 1966 to 1968.
The actor’s talent extended beyond “Tarzan,” as he showcased his skills in various projects, including “Wonder Woman,” the 1975 movie “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze,” “L.A. Law,” “The Love Boat,” and “The Friend Who Walked the West.” Throughout his career, he continued to work on projects related to the “Tarzan” legacy and later published two novels.
Tragically, in 2019, Ron’s life changed when his son, Cameron, fatally stabbed his mother, Valerie, Ron’s wife. Cameron, reportedly suffering from early-stage CTE, was shot multiple times by police after he tried to escape. Following this, Ron filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the sheriff’s department, claiming that Cameron was trying to surrender when officers opened fire.
Legal documents revealed that the five officers involved did not provide timely medical help to Valerie, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds. According to police reports, when officers arrived, they found Valerie inside their home and then searched for Cameron, who was identified as the main suspect.
Cameron informed police that he had a gun and approached the deputies in a threatening manner. In response, four deputies fired a total of 24 rounds, fatally injuring him. After it was safe to approach, deputies discovered he had no weapon. Fortunately, none of the deputies were hurt, and Ron, although not physically harmed, was taken to the hospital for precautionary checks.
In the years following this tragic event, Ron Ely faced the difficulties of losing his family. The actor passed away at 86 and is survived by his daughters, Kirsten and Kaitland. His role as the iconic jungle hero left a lasting impact on television and secured his place as a household name.
Tom Hanks Receives Sweet Tribute From Wife Rita Wilson — One Detail Catches People’s Attention
Rita Wilson celebrated Tom Hanks’ birthday with a sweet Instagram post. She shared a heartfelt message alongside a photo, marking both his special day and their 36 years together. Fans showered Hanks with love, though a few couldn’t help but notice something about his look in the photo.
As Tom Hanks celebrated his 68th birthday, his wife of 36 years, Rita Wilson, took to Instagram with a heartfelt tribute. She shared a touching post featuring a recent photo of Hanks standing proudly in front of an impressive record collection and vintage record player.
The Forrest Gump star was showered with love from his wife. Rita Wilson, 67, marked his special day with a sweet and loving message on Instagram.
“🌸🎂🎊 Happy Birthday to my love! 🎊🎂🌸 You made the world a better place the day you were born. You bring joy wherever you go. You are the bringer of laughs, a lover of vehicles, or pretty much anything, shaped like a round bath tub. The bookshelves in our house shout from their bindings your love of history and the unexpectedly romantic Maeve Binchy,” she wrote.
“You get as much pleasure from recording your radio show @bossradio66 as you do from listening to any kind of surf music on vinyl. @tcm is your go to channel any time of day or night. Your patience for our kids harassing you about your ignorance of pop culture is admirable. We love you. I love you. So much and every day. 🌸💕🌸,” Rita added.
Tom Hanks was flooded with birthday wishes and compliments, showing just how much love and respect he’s earned over the years. Along with fans, plenty of celebrities chimed in to celebrate, including Julia Roberts. The actress, who worked with Hanks on Larry Crowne, left a sweet message in the comments of Rita Wilson’s post. “Yes! Happy Birthday Tom,” wrote Roberts. “So happy you were born.”
But also, fans showered the actor with comments like: “The coolest man alive,” one fan wrote. Another appreciated Rita’s tribute to her husband, “Happy Birthday Tom! What a sweet and loving wish from your beautiful wife. May you have many more incredible years ahead of you and thanks for sharing your talent/art with all of us, your adoring fans.” And also, “He truly is a gift to the world…as are you, Rita!”
However, many people online noticed a slight change in the appearance of the actor, which is normal given that he had just turned 68 with one user stating, “I cannot believe he is almost in his 70s,” surprised by the actor’s age. Another wrote, “I would have sworn he was older! Not because he looks or acts it particularly but it just feels like he’s been around forever.”
Rita paid a sweet tribute to her husband a few months ago when they celebrated their 36th anniversary.
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