‘Doc Savage,’ ‘Tarzan’ star Ron Ely dies at 86

Ron Ely, renowned for his role as Tarzan and his lead performance in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, has died at the age of 86.

His daughter, Kirsten "Kiki" Casale Ely, shared the sad news on Instagram on October 23, revealing that he passed away at his home in Santa Barbara County, California.

In her heartfelt tribute, Kiki posted a carousel of cherished family photos showcasing Ely with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren over the years.

Ely rose to fame for his portrayal of the titular character in the 1960s TV series Tarzan, which aired from 1966 to 1968.

His interpretation offered a fresh take on the classic character, inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1912 story.

Ely's version depicted a jungle-raised man who returns to civilisation with newfound sophistication.

Notably, Ely performed many of his own stunts, which led to numerous injuries, including two lion bites, a torn back muscle, and two broken shoulders, as reported by The New York Times.

In addition to Tarzan, Ely enjoyed a prolific career spanning over three decades, appearing in various television shows such as The Many Lives of Dobie Gillis, Father Knows Best, Wonder Woman, Fantasy Island, Superboy, and Hawkeye.