Ron Ely
Ron, who starred as Tarzan in the eponymous TV series from 1966 to 1968, was 86 years old when he passed away in October. His daughter, Kirsten Ely, shared a statement on his death via Instagram but did not indicate when or how the actor died.
“The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known — and I have lost my dad,” she wrote. “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.”
Kirsten continued, “I knew him as my dad — and what a heaven sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon. My father was my world — and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and ridiculously funny. He 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.”
She described her father’s life as “one of relentless perserverence, 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,” Kirsten added. “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. 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.”
She concluded by noting that her “greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother,” referencing the 2019 incident where Ron’s son, Cameron, allegedly stabbed and killed his mother, Valerie. Cameron was later shot and killed by police.
“It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul,” Kirsten wrote. “I will proudly carry all of my favorite pieces of them – lovingly cemented into my heart – until we all meet again.”