Tarzan star Ron Ely’s tragic final years after son stabbed wife Valerie to death

Ron Ely, ‘Tarzan’ Star, Dies at 86

Actor Ron Ely, best known for playing Tarzan in the 1960s TV series, has passed away at 86. His later years were marked by tragedy, following the death of his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, in 2019.

Valerie, a former flight attendant and beauty queen, was fatally stabbed by their son, Cameron Ely, at their Santa Barbara home. Cameron, 30, was later shot and killed by responding officers after being deemed a threat.

Ron and Valerie were married for 35 years and had three children. In 2020, Ron filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, claiming Cameron was surrendering when shot. A federal jury rejected the lawsuit in 2022, ruling the use of force justified.