US actor Ron Ely, renowned for his portrayal of Tarzan in the iconic 1960s television series, has passed away at the age of 86. In a heartfelt Instagram post, his daughter, Kirsten Casale Ely, expressed her sorrow, stating, “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad.”

Ely starred in “Tarzan,” which originally aired on NBC from 1966 to 1968. During his time on the show, he endured numerous injuries, including broken bones, and bravely faced animal attacks while performing his own stunts.

After stepping away from acting in 2001, Ely transitioned to writing, successfully publishing two mystery novels. He made a brief return to the screen in 2014 with a role in the television film “Expecting Amish,” portraying an Amish elder. Throughout the 1980s, he also made appearances in popular series such as “The Love Boat” and “Wonder Woman,” alongside Lynda Carter.

Born in Texas in 1938, Ely married his high school sweetheart in 1959, though they divorced two years later. He gained further recognition as the host of the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s, where he met Valerie, who would become his second wife. Together, they had three children.

On September 29, Ely passed away at his home in Los Alamos, Santa Barbara, California. In her announcement on Instagram, Kirsten reflected on her father’s legacy, saying, “My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man, and leader.” She concluded with a touching tribute: “I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven-sent honor that has been. To me, he hung the moon.”