The Mysterious Life of Ron Ely: Tarzan’s Legacy and Tragedy

KAZI ABUL MONSUR, JOURNALIST##

It was the 1990s. Those of us of that age eagerly awaited the start of the Tarzan series. Tarzan’s incredible bravery in the jungle and his friendship with animals were so captivating that words cannot express it. During that time, the Tarzan series was popular among people of all ages. Although there was much writing about its immense popularity in Bangladesh, the life of Ron Ely, the actor known as Tarzan, was filled with sorrow, especially due to many unusual incidents in his old age. His family life was full of tragedy, and even the mystery surrounding Tarzan’s death was significant.

Ron Ely, the actor famous for playing Tarzan in the 1960s television series, passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 86. His family confirmed his death on October 23, 2024. Ely had a distinguished career not only as an actor but also as an author, publishing mystery novels in the 1990s. His later life was marked by personal tragedy following the death of his wife and son in 2019. He died at his daughter’s home in Los Alamos, California

Ron Ely, the actor famous for portraying Tarzan in the 1960s, died on September 29, 2024, at the age of 86. His family confirmed the news in October 2024. Ely’s later years were marked by personal tragedy when his son killed his wife, Valerie Lundeen, in 2019, leading to his son’s death at the hands of police. Despite his earlier fame as an actor, especially in the Tarzan series, his final years were overshadowed by this devastating incident​.

Ron Ely is an American actor, best known for portraying the iconic character Tarzan in the 1966–1968 television series Tarzan. Ely became widely associated with the role because of his physicality and adventurous portrayal of the jungle hero, which was based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ character. His performance made him the face of Tarzan for a new generation of viewers during the 1960s.

The reason Ely was called Tarzan stems from this role. In the series, he played the character of Tarzan, a man raised by apes in the African jungle, who later becomes a protector of the jungle and its inhabitants. Ron Ely’s version of Tarzan was distinct because he portrayed the character as articulate, unlike earlier film versions where Tarzan was often depicted as speaking in broken English (“Me Tarzan, you Jane”). Ely’s version spoke full sentences and was more refined.

Ely also became famous for performing many of his own stunts in the series, which further cemented his association with the athletic and adventurous nature of the character. This physical commitment to the role helped solidify his reputation as Tarzan in the eyes of fans and pop culture. The Tarzan TV series starring Ron Ely aired from 1966 to 1968. It was based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ character Tarzan, a man raised by apes in the African jungle. Unlike earlier film versions, Ely’s Tarzan was articulate and sophisticated, able to speak in full sentences. The series ran for 57 episodes and followed Tarzan as he protected wildlife, fought poachers, and navigated modern civilization’s encroachments into the jungle. Ely performed many of his own stunts, adding to the show’s realism and appeal. The series was part of a long tradition of Tarzan adaptations.

The mystery surrounding Ron Ely largely stems from the tragic events in his later life. In 2019, his wife, Valerie Lundeen, was killed by their son, Cameron Ely, at their home. Cameron was later shot by police in what was ruled as justifiable homicide, though Ron Ely challenged this ruling, creating some public interest and controversy. This, combined with Ely’s retreat from the spotlight after his career and his family’s privacy, added layers of mystery to his personal life. These tragedies overshadowed his previous fame as an actor.## (kazimonsur@gmail.com)