His daughter, author Kiki Ely, wrote a loving tribute to her “truly magical” father.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Ely played Tarzan for two seasons, from 1966 to 1968.
But he did it differently than audiences were used to seeing.
Ron Ely portrays Tarzan in the 1960s ‘Tarzan’ TV series.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Mostly, the actor did his own stunts, according to theNew York Times.
The decision resulted in two lion bites, a torn back muscle, and two broken shoulders.
Still, he said in another interview, that the biggest cost of being Tarzan was being typecast.
“I became so associated with the role, I had to go to Europe to get work.”
Later, he was cast in more modern series, includingL.A.
Law,Superboy, andHawkeye.
“NowDoc Savagecomes along, and I just had to say: Is this a joke?
I’d just got out of the fire, and now you’re putting me back in?”
Ely said toNJ.comin April 2012.
“It was unexpected that I would go that route again.
I thought I had learned my lesson.”
Ely continued working through the 1990s.
He and his wife had married in 1984.
They also shared two daughters, Kiki and Kaitland.
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“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.
