Ron Ely

Prior to Tarzan, Ron had numerous parts in movies and television, including the copilot in South Pacific (1958) and had co-starred in TV's brief series "Malibu Run" (The Aquanauts (1960)).

He played the title role in the TV series Tarzan (1966), and in two movies made from that series in 1970. He refused to use a stunt double in his vine-swinging or animal fights and was often injured. It has been noted that Ron's physical appearance and dialogue were much more like those of Edgar Rice Burroughs' character than could be said for any other Tarzan.

Attended Amarillo High School. There is a letter sweater from him in the trophy cases (saved from 1970 fire in the older school). He later attended the University of Texas at Austin in the mid-1950s and was in ROTC.

Hosted a game show in the early 1980s called Face the Music (1979). A delightful trademark of his performance was his tendency to preface a statement to the contestants with the introductory identifier, "Contestants!"

Writer of mystery novels, featuring the character Jake Sands Night Shadows 1994 East Beach 1995

The former "Tarzan" appeared in a rare guest spot on the jungle adventure Sheena (2000) in the 2001-2002 season.

The 15th screen Tarzan (if you don't count Gordon Griffith) was to have played a Tarzan impersonator in a projected Mike Henry television show, which never materialized. He had been tested fourteen months earlier when Henry got the part.

On October 15, 2019 son, 30 year old Cameron Ely, stabbed his 62 year old mother, Valerie Ely, to death. Ron and Valerie Ely had been married approximately 35 years. Cameron Ely was shot to death by sheriff's deputies later that evening. He was unarmed and his father unsuccessfully filed charges over the shooting. No charges were filed against the deputies.