Ronald Pierce Ely, popularly known as Ron Ely, was an American actor and novelist best recognized for portraying Tarzen in the 1966-1968 NBC series Tarzen.
He also played the lead role in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze and hosted the Miss American pageant telecast in 1980-81.
Highlights
- Ron Ely was an American actor known for his lead role in the NBC series “Tarzan.” He was as popular as ‘Orginal Tarzan.’
- Ely’s wealth at the time of his demise was around $7 million.
- Ron passed away on September 29, 2024, at 86, following a worsened health condition due to old age.
Ely began his career in 1957 as an actor playing supporting roles in films South Pacific, The Fiend Who Walked The West, and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker.
Before landing the lead role in Tarzan in 1966, Roy started in TV series and films Father Knows Best, The Millionaire, The Aquanauts, and The Night of the Grizzly.
Moreover, in 1970, Ely portrayed Tarzan again in two movies derived from the series, and he was known for performing his stunts without a double.
His last filmography record was in 2014 with the movie Expecting Amish, where Roy played Elder Miller. The OG Tarzen star died on September 29, 2024, at 86.
Ron Ely Net Worth Was About $7 Million Before His Demise In September 2024
Ely indulged in acting for more than four decades. Throughout his professional journey, the actor has earned fame and wealth.
Ron Ely’s estimated net worth was about $7 million at his death on September 29, 2024.
As the actor was active in the 1960s and 1970s, there is no detailed information about Roy Ely’s movie box office earnings.
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However, his first hit NBC series, Tarzen, was the top-rated TV show from 1966 to 1968, earning him fame and career highs.
In the 1967-1968 season, the show achieved 31 shares and finished in the top 40 shows.
Similarly, Ron Aly appeared in numerous TV commercials and brand endorsements, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars for each.
Furthermore, Ely was a novelist. He authored two published mystery novels: Night Shadows and East Beach.
The novel “Night Shadows” was published in 1994 and received a first printing of 17,500 copies. The book is available in various online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon, and it is rated $19 per book.
Similarly, his book “East Beach” was published in 1995 and sold about 15,000 copies in its first printing. Now, it is available for around $20 on marketplaces.
Furthermore, Ron Ely had a lavish home in Santa Barbara, California, with an in-house Swimming pool and tennis court. In April 2015, the actor listed his home for sale for $5.2 million.
Additional Information
- Ron Ely was married two times. His first wife was his high school sweetheart, Helen Janet Triplet, who divorced in 1961, and his second wife was Valerie Lundeen, who passed away in 2019 after being stabbed.
- Ely was father to three children: two daughters, Kristen and Kaitland, and a son, Cameron. Son Cameron stabbed his mother, Lundeen, and was later killed by police while confronting him.
- Ron Ely also dated actress Ursula Andress, Barbara Bouchet, Dyan Cannon, and Britt Ekland after his divorce in 1961 and before marrying Valerie in 1984.
