Ron Ely Biography: Age, Real Name, Career, Education, Parents, Siblings, Wife, Children, Nationality, Books, TV Shows and Death

Early Life

Ronald Pierce Ely, better known as Ron Ely, was born on June 21, 1938, in Hereford, Texas. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas. Ron showed an early interest in acting, which eventually led him to Hollywood, where he would become famous for his tall, athletic build and strong presence on screen. Standing at 6'4" (1.94 m), he was well-suited for the action-packed roles he would later take on. 

Acting Career

Ron Ely is best known for playing the lead role of Tarzan in the 1966-1968 NBC TV series Tarzan. The show ran for two seasons with a total of 57 episodes. Unlike the earlier movie versions of Tarzan, Ron Ely portrayal showed the jungle hero as intelligent and well-spoken. The series was filmed in exotic locations like Brazil and Mexico. Ron Ely did most of his own stunts, which led to several injuries, including broken shoulders and bites from lions.

Before Tarzan, Ron Ely had smaller roles in films like South Pacific (1958), where he played an airplane navigator, and The Fiend Who Walked the West (1958). His success as Tarzan opened the door to more roles, including the title character in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975). He also appeared in five episodes of the popular series Fantasy Island and had a memorable guest role in Wonder Woman.

In the 1960s, Ron Ely starred in the TV show The Aquanauts and appeared in the film The Night of the Grizzly alongside Clint Walker. In 1980 and 1981, Ron Ely hosted the Miss America pageants. He also starred in a revival of the 1960s show Sea Hunt from 1987 to 1988, playing Mike Nelson, a role originally made famous by Lloyd Bridges.

Ron Ely continued to appear in TV shows throughout the 1990s, including guest roles in Superboy and Tarzán. He retired from acting in 2001 but made a final appearance in 2014 in the television movie Expecting Amish.

Writing Career

After stepping away from acting, Ron Ely turned to writing. He authored two mystery novels featuring a private investigator named Jake Sands. These novels, Night Shadows (1994) and East Beach (1995), were well-received and showcased Ron Ely talent as a writer.

Personal Life

Ron Ely was married twice. His first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Helen Janet Triplet, in 1959, but they divorced in 1961. In 1984, Ron Ely married Valerie Lundeen, a former Miss Florida USA. The couple had three children: Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron.

Tragedy struck the Ron Ely family in 2019 when Valerie was found dead at their home in Hope Ranch, California. Police later killed the couple son, Cameron, who was believed to be responsible for her death. It was later discovered that Cameron was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head injuries.

Later Years and Death

Ron Ely passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 86. He died at the home of one of his daughters in Los Alamos, California. His death was not publicly announced until his daughter Kirsten shared the news on October 23, 2024.

Throughout his life, Ron Ely was known not just for his acting talent but also for his dedication to his craft, performing dangerous stunts himself and taking on a wide variety of roles. He will be remembered as an iconic Tarzan and as a talented novelist who made a lasting mark on both the screen and the page.

Ron Ely Height and Weight Measurements 

Ron Ely was known for his impressive height and athletic build, standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches (1.94 meters). His height made him a natural fit for action roles, especially as Tarzan, where his physical presence was a key part of the character. Ron Ely had a strong, muscular physique that matched his tall frame, helping him perform many of his own stunts. While his exact weight is not commonly mentioned, he maintained a fit and athletic build throughout his acting career, making him well-suited for demanding roles in action-packed films and TV shows.

FAQS 

1. What is Ron Ely real name?  

Ron Ely full name is Ronald Pierce Ely.

2. How old was Ron Ely when he passed away?  

Ron Ely was 86 years old when he passed away on September 29, 2024.

3. What is Ron Ely known for? 

Ron Ely is best known for playing the lead role in the "Tarzan" TV series from 1966 to 1968 and for starring in "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze" (1975).

4. Did Ron Ely have any formal education in acting? 

There is no widely available information about Ron Ely formal acting education, but he began acting in films and TV shows in the late 1950s.

5. Who were Ron Ely parents?  

There is little public information about Ron Ely parents.

6. Did Ron Ely have any siblings?

There is no widely known information about whether Ron Ely had siblings.

7. Who was Ron Ely married to?  

Ron Ely was married twice. His first marriage was to Helen Janet Triplet in 1959, but they divorced in 1961. He later married Valerie Lundeen in 1984, who remained his wife until her death in 2019.

8. Did Ron Ely have any children?  

Yes, Ron Ely had three children: Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron.

9. What is Ron Ely nationality?

Ron Ely was an American.

10. What movies and TV shows was Ron Ely in?

Besides "Tarzan" (1966-1968), Ron Ely starred in the film "Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze" (1975), appeared in "Fantasy Island", "Wonder Woman", "The Aquanauts", and later "Sea Hunt". He also guest-starred in various TV shows through the 1990s.