Ely rose to fame between 1966 and 1968 with his athletic and charismatic portrayal of Tarzan, often performing his own stunts and bringing a more intelligent, articulate version of the character to the screen. Beyond acting, he also hosted the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981 before stepping away from the spotlight to live a quieter life in Santa Barbara with his family.
That peaceful life was shattered in 2019 when his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was found stabbed to death at their home. Their son Cameron was identified as the attacker and was later shot and killed by police outside the residence. Although Ely was not physically harmed, he was hospitalized due to the emotional trauma.
Valerie, a former Miss Florida USA, met Ely through the pageant world. They married in 1984 and raised three children together. After the incident, Ely filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, alleging excessive force and mishandling of the situation.
Born in Texas in 1938, Ely enjoyed a long and varied career, appearing in projects such as Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat. He also wrote novels and was widely respected for his integrity and dedication to his family.
His life combined notable success with profound loss—remembered by fans as a symbol of strength, and as a man who endured unimaginable hardship with quiet dignity.