How all-action Tarzan star Ron Ely put his body on the line for his own stunts and was left with 24 major injuries including lion and chimp bites and two broken shoulders before family was struck by tragedy
As I read through this heart-wrenching tale of Cameron Ely, a man who seemed to touch the lives of everyone he met with his incredible talent and boundless spirit, I can’t help but be moved by his story. It is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and the indelible impact one person can have on the world around them.
Legendary action actor Ronald Ely, most renowned for his portrayal of Tarzan, passed away at the venerable age of 86. His life was a blend of remarkable achievements and family hardship. Notably, he executed all his own stunts throughout his career.
In a heartfelt tribute posted to Instagram on Wednesday, his daughter Kirsten announced that he had peacefully passed away on September 29.
As a Texas-born lifestyle aficionado, I’m recognized for my captivating portrayal as the title character in the popular NBC series “Tarzan.” During the show’s successful two-year run from 1966 to 1968, I made headlines by executing most of the thrilling stunts myself.
He also handled dangerous animals including tigers, lions and chimpanzees in locations including Brazil, Mexico and other central America nations.
During that span of two years, he endured twenty-four severe injuries, which included fractures in both his shoulders and numerous bites inflicted by lions and chimps.
Initially, he relished portraying the rugged jungle hero, but later on, he confessed that he was relieved to move past the role. This is because during his time in it, he endured numerous injuries such as lion attacks and fractures.
He admitted, “To be honest, I’m not sure if I could have given any more. I was at my mental and physical limits; I needed a break, at minimum, for several months to rejuvenate. My body was in a state of exhaustion.
I suffered numerous muscle strains, tears, shoulder dislocations, wrist sprains, and fractures in various parts of my body. Essentially, every aspect of me has been injured.
Ely portrayed Tarzan differently from the usual monosyllabic growls linked to the character. Instead, his version was a well-educated gentleman who, tired of city life, chose to return to the African jungle, where he had been brought up earlier.
The part was given to him since Mike Henry, a previous American football player, withdrew from the project just before it began.
In 2013, Ely shared with the Daily Express that from the very start of filming, Mike had an aversion to chimpanzees, and as a result, the situation quickly turned unfavorable for him.
During the filming of the show’s pilot, a chimpanzee unexpectedly attacked Henry, causing an injury to his jaw. At the very last minute, Ely was chosen to replace him in the role.
Ely stated, “I encountered them on a Monday, and when they proposed the position to me, my thoughts were, ‘Absolutely not! I don’t want to walk into a bear trap like that. Let someone else be Tarzan and be forever marked.’
He said, “Indeed, I was correct! However, my representative persuaded me that it was a top-notch production destined for success. Consequently, by Friday, I was already boarding a flight to Brazil to film the initial episode.
Although Ron Ely may not have been as famous as Johnny Weismuller, who portrayed Tarzan in films during the 1930s and 1940s, Ely contributed significantly to shaping the iconic image of the bare-chested, loincloth-clad character that Disney later popularized.
In her Instagram post, Kirsten Ely described him as a versatile individual who acted, wrote, coached, mentored, and was deeply committed to his family. His presence left a significant, inspiring impact wherever he went that I’ve never seen in anyone else. There was a unique, enchanting quality about him.
In the 1980s, around the early years, Ely was the host of the Miss America pageant. It was during this event that he encountered Valerie, a contestant from Florida. They tied the knot in 1984. As a pair, they were blessed with three children. In the year 2001, Ely decided to step away from acting to dedicate his time to his family.
In 2013, he shared with the Daily Express (London) that later in life, he had a young family. To be present for them during their school years and attend their sports events, he chose to retire from acting and work at home as an author. However, his interest in acting rekindled, leading him to make a brief return in the 2014 TV movie titled “Expecting Amish.
Ely took on the leading role in the 1975 action film titled “Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze,” although he primarily starred in minor television and cinema appearances, such as the 1958 musical film “South Pacific.
Besides this, he authored two enigmatic novels starring the detective, Jake Sands – Night Shadows from 1994 and East Beach in 1995.
His death came less than five years after his family was devastated by a series of violent events.
In a tragic turn of events, Cameron Ely, their 30-year-old son, allegedly fatally stabbed his stepmother Valerie Lundeen Ely, who was once crowned a beauty queen, at the age of 62, inside the family residence situated in the Santa Barbara suburb known as Hope Ranch.
Following the incident, authorities from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office ended up fatally shooting Cameron outside his residence. This event sparked legal action over the subsequent years.
Approximately one year following the unfortunate event, in October of 2020, Ron filed a federal lawsuit for wrongful death against the Sheriff’s Office of Santa Barbara County. He claimed that the first responders had been negligent in their handling of both his deceased wife and son, according to People after examining the related court documents.
According to the legal documents, Ron stated that police officers discharged over 20 rounds when Cameron was trying to surrender for arrest following the incident where he took his mother’s life.
In his lawsuit, Ron stated that no officers who arrived at the scene offered Valerie any medical help following the fatal stabbing.
In legal documents, lawyers representing Ron argued that the actions of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department officers were not only unjustifiable but also extremely excessive, uncalled-for, and therefore violated constitutional rights.
2019 saw the police being called to Cameron’s residence due to his allegation that Ron had supposedly stabbed Valerie, an accusation that later proved unfounded.
The police reported that Valerie was found dead with numerous stab wounds upon arriving at the residence, and Ron claimed that Cameron was the one who inflicted those wounds on her.
Police officers investigated Cameron Ely’s house and its surroundings. In the course of their investigation, they found the suspected murderer outside the house.
The individual under investigation informed the officers that he possessed a firearm, then moved forward and made gestures suggesting he was retrieving it. Consequently, four officers discharged a combined total of 24 bullets from their duty weapons, striking and ultimately killing the suspect.
According to the officials from the Sheriff’s Department, when deputies managed to move in safely using a protective shield, they discovered that Cameron had pretended to be armed but was actually unarmed.
According to officials from the Sheriff’s Department, Ron did not sustain any physical injuries during the incident, and none of the responding deputies were harmed either. As a precaution, Ron underwent an examination at a local hospital.
In their lawsuit against the police department, the Ely family argues that the officers provided a misleading account of the incident. They claim that Cameron had his hands raised in a gesture of surrender when he initially communicated with the deputies, who opened fire on him within just twenty seconds after he appeared, striking him a total of 22 times.
In a video made available by the Ely family on Dailymail.com, it’s clear that Ron Ely is seated in a wheelchair. Two officers, guided by flashlights, were seen entering the dimly lit house.
A deputy questioned Ron Ely, “What’s happening here, sir?”, just as another deputy discovered Valerie’s body, exclaiming in shock, “Goodness gracious, make way! Let’s evacuate the house.
In the video of the shooting incident, officials instructed Cameron to keep his hands raised before they opened fire on him; subsequently, they cuffed him following the shooting event.
At a news conference held on October 15, 2020 at their family home, Ely’s daughters Kirsten Casale Ely and Kaitland Ely Sweet, along with lawyers John L. Burris and DeWitt M. Lacy, accused the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department of exhibiting ‘deliberate dishonesty, incompetence, and disregard for human life’ in their handling of the incident and its subsequent events.
In response to the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office stating that deputies acted reasonably in employing lethal force, Kirsten countered that the evidence presented by the family revealed a chain of deceptions designed to shield the deputies from their actions and hide the true circumstances surrounding what actually happened to Cameron.
Kaitland referred to Valerie as an “actual, everyday fairy godmother” and commented that Cameron is both a talented athlete and musician, with his tattoos becoming indistinguishable following the shooting incident where he was hit almost twenty times.
In October of 2022, a federal jury based in California’s Central District dismissed the family’s legal case, as reported by local news source KEYT.
Sheriff Bill Brown stated previously, ‘Though we deeply empathize with the Ely family in their grief due to this unfortunate incident, the application of lethal force towards Cameron Ely was a legal and necessary action given the circumstances.’
On Wednesday, Kirsten shared with The Associated Press that her father passed away on September 29th at his residence in Los Alamos, California, which is part of the Santa Barbara County area.
In my own words, I’d express it this way: “I’ve just learned that we’ve lost one of the most remarkable individuals humanity has ever graced – a man who was more than just a public figure to me, he was my father.
As I reflect on my life, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary impact my father made on those around him. A multifaceted individual, he was not just an actor or writer, but also a coach, mentor, family man, and leader. Wherever he went, he left behind a powerful wave of positive influence that continues to resonate today.
Ely continued to express admiration for the profound influence her father had on people, noting that she’s never seen such an effect in anyone else.
She described her father as having a special, enchanting quality that everyone recognized, this was the impression he made on the world.
She continued: ‘I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.’
Kirsten noted, “My dad was the center of my universe – he crafted a truly remarkable world. He was tough yet caring, intelligent beyond belief, and had an infectious sense of humor. He was resilient and compassionate, full of energy and strength. He was my idol and source of inspiration. He was modest, naturally commanding respect – the respect he so richly earned.
Kirsten noted that her father’s life was characterized by tenacious determination, constant devotion towards his family and circle, bravery in doing what was just, and selfless acts to help fulfill the aspirations of those dear to him.
Not only was it a tale filled with happiness and affection, but those who were fortunate enough to know his love found their worlds illuminated and enriched by it. Once you experienced my father’s affection, the world seemed more vibrant and significant.
Currently, she shared with her audience that she is striving to navigate this journey of grief with the courage and elegance her father would have desired from her.
‘What brings me the most peace is knowing my dad is with my mom and brother. At the same time, it’s my deepest sorrow as I long for them so intensely that it feels like a part of me is missing. I’ll hold dear their special memories within me, engraved in my heart, until we can reunite once more,’ she concluded.
Along with Kirsten Casale Ely, he is survived by daughter Kaitland Ely Sweet.
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2024-10-25 12:23