US actor Ron Ely, best known for his role as Tarzan in the 1960s television series of the same name, has passed away at the age of 86. "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known, and I have lost my dad," wrote his daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, in an Instagram post. The show "Tarzan" originally aired on NBC from 1966 to 1968, during which time Ely sustained several injuries and was reported to have been attacked by animals while performing stunts.

After he retired from acting in 2001, Ely transitioned into the world of literature, showcasing his talent as an author with the publication of two engaging mystery novels. In a surprising turn, he returned to the screen in 2014 with a noteworthy appearance in the television film "Expecting Amish", portraying a wise and respected Amish elder. Reflecting on his earlier career, Ely made memorable contributions to iconic 1980s television shows, delighting audiences in the light-hearted cruise ship comedy "The Love Boat" and captivating viewers as he shared the screen with Lynda Carter in the adventurous series "Wonder Woman".

Born in Texas in 1938, Ron Ely married his high school sweetheart in 1959, but they divorced two years later. He gained fame for hosting the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s, where he met his second wife, Valerie Lundeen. The couple had three children together. Tragically, Lundeen was stabbed to death at the age of 62 by their son, Cameron, at their home in California in 2019. Cameron was subsequently shot and killed by police after he was deemed a threat to the responding officers. Ron Ely filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department, but the judge ruled that the officers had acted in self-defence.

The star of Tarzan passed away at his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California, on September 29. Announcing the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, the actor's daughter stated, "My father was someone people regarded as a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader." She continued, "To me, he hung the moon, and I knew him as my dad. What a heaven-sent honour that has been."