The Hollywood star Ron Ely, who was best known for starring in the television show Tarzan from 1966 until 1968, has passed away at the age of 86.
‘The World Has Lost One Of The Greatest Men’
Ron’s death was announced on Instagram on Wednesday by his daughter, Kirsten Ely. She did not reveal how or when he died.
“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad,” Kirsten wrote in the post. “My father was someone that 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 he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person – there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him,” she continued. “I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.”
Kirsten went on to talk about how much her father meant to her.
“My father was my world – and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective…He was brilliant and ridiculously funny,” Kirsten added. She then said that Ron “was stoic and sensitive…He was dynamic and powerful. He was my role model and inspiration…He was humble and inherently received respect – the respect he so deserved.”
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Ron’s Life Was ‘A Story Of Joy And Love’
Kirsten proceeded to describe Ron’s life story as “one of relentless perseverence, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved.”
“It was also a story of joy and love – something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing,” she wrote. “Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place.”
“I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me,” she stated. “I’m picking up the pieces of my heart that feel like pieces of him – and cementing those firmly in place before I pick up the rest of the broken bits. It makes me feel like part of him is still here – and I need that – and the world needs that.”
Kirsten concluded by saying that her “greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother.”
Sadly, this was a reference to the 2019 deaths of Ron’s son Cameron and his wife, Valerie. Cameron allegedly killed his mother by stabbing her on October 15, 2019. He was later shot and killed by police officers.
“It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul,” Kirsten concluded. “I will proudly carry all of my favorite pieces of them – lovingly cemented into my heart – until we all meet again.”
Find out more about the deaths of Valerie and Cameron in the video below.
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Ron’s History
Born in Texas, Ron was best known for playing Tarzan in Tarzan on NBC from 1966-1968. He later appeared on television shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Wonder Woman. Ron’s most recent appearance onscreen came in the 2014 television movie Expecting Amish.
In a 2012 interview, Ron revealed that he left acting behind to spend more time with his wife and three children.
“I am fully committed to my wife and my children,” he told Fanboy Planet at the time. “That’s why I stepped out of the business because I wanted to spend more time to raise my kids.”
Ron elaborated further on this in 2013.
“Late in life I had a young family,” he told Daily Express. “I decided to stop acting and work at home, as an author, that way I could be with the kids all through school and be able to attend their sports games and things.”
Rest in peace, Ron Ely.
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