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.
A Heartwarming Tale of a Lost Toy and Kindness
Hearing a moving story that serves as a reminder of the kindness and generosity of people is a pleasant break from the apparently never-ending barrage of bad news. A touching story shared on Facebook by Helen Lupton has touched a lot of people.
Helen and her son Blake had visited the Pleasureland Amusements arcade in Whitby, Yorkshire. It was an amazing day filled with laughter. When they arrived home, though, they discovered that Blake’s beloved purple sloth toy, Slothy, had been left behind.
In an attempt to find the lost toy, a devastated Helen messaged the location. However, the staff informed her that nothing had been reported to lost and found. Blake was crushed because it seemed like there was no hope left.
Helen searched for a replacement toy but was unsuccessful in her mission to put things right. Then out of the blue, she received a message from Pleasureland Amusements. Someone had found Slothy!
Blake’s face lit up with pleasure as Helen broke the good news to him. Since they weren’t local, she asked if they might send Slothy back to them. A few days later, a package appeared, after the personnel kindly gave them permission.
The bundle included a number of incredibly heartfelt surprises. Aside from Slothy, there were two new toys and three containers of goodies. An emotional note inside the gift said, “Hello, we thought Pablo (as we called him before we knew he was Slothy) would get scared during his journey, so we sent him with a friend and some snacks to share with you when he got back home safe and sound.” To prevent him from getting bored, we gave him a fidget pop. I hope Pablo, also known as Slothy, stays safe going forward.
Touched by the care and friendliness of the Pleasureland staff, Helen shared the photos on Facebook. She encouraged others to visit the Whitby arcade and expressed her gratitude for the reminder that there are still nice, honest, kind, and gentle people in the world.
Hundreds more comments were left as the item was immediately seen by many more. A few people responded to the story emotionally; one individual even claimed it made them cry. Employees at Pleasureland were praised profusely; one commenter rated them “five gold stars.”
This charming tale serves as a powerful reminder that goodness endures in the world even in the face of adversity. Narratives such as this instill hope and restore our faith in humanity.
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