Actor Ron Ely, who is best known for being the star of the 1960s Tarzan TV series, has died at the age of 86.
His final years were shrouded in tragedy, and his death comes five years after his second wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was killed in tragic circumstances at the couple’s home in California.
The former flight attendant was fatally stabbed by their son, Cameron Ely, in the family’s home in Santa Barbara, at the age of 62.
Cameron was fatally shot at the scene by authorities with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
Ron, who retired from acting in 2001 (apart from a brief appearance in TV movie Expecting Amish in 2014), and his wife Valerie were married for 35 years before her death.
The couple had three children together, Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron.
Who was Ron Ely’s wife Valerie Lundeen?
Ron Ely’s wife was Valerie Lundeen, a devoted mother who once worked as a flight attendant and won Miss Airline International, a beauty pageant for flight attendants, in 1980.
A year later, Valerie was crowned Miss Florida, USA in a beauty pageant in 1981, and she would later compete for the title of Miss USA.
Her future husband, Ron, also had associations with the world of pageants, having hosted the Miss America competition for two years in a row in 1980 and 1981.
Ron and Valerie married in 1984 and spent thirty five years together. Their relationship was often described as steady and affectionate, grounded in shared faith and family priorities. They raised three children together, Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron. In 2018, they became grandparents for the first time when Kaitland welcomed a son. For Ron, family had always been central to his identity, and retirement gave him more time to enjoy those relationships away from the spotlight.
From the outside, their life appeared peaceful and fulfilled. The couple lived in Santa Barbara, California, in a home that reflected years of shared memories. Neighbors knew them as kind and private people. Ron, once a television icon, was now a grandfather who valued routine, conversation, and time with loved ones. Valerie remained active and social, often described as the emotional heart of the household. Few could have imagined that tragedy would strike so violently and suddenly.
Everything changed on October fifteenth, two thousand nineteen. On that day, authorities responded to a call at the Ely family home. What they found inside would horrify both law enforcement and the public. Valerie Lundeen Ely had been stabbed multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was sixty two years old. The suspect was identified as the couple’s son, Cameron Ely, who was thirty at the time.
According to official statements, deputies encountered Cameron outside the home. They reported that he posed a threat and that they were unable to gain verbal control over him. Four deputies fired their weapons, fatally wounding Cameron at the scene. No officers were injured. In a matter of minutes, Ron Ely lost both his wife and his son, leaving him with unimaginable grief and unanswered questions.
The news spread quickly and stunned the nation. Fans who remembered Ron Ely as the heroic Tarzan struggled to reconcile that image with the brutal reality of his personal loss. Media outlets described the incident as one of the most tragic celebrity family events in recent years. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced that multiple investigations would be conducted, including criminal, administrative, and coroner inquiries.
In the months following the tragedy, Ron Ely remained largely out of public view. Friends reported that he was devastated and physically weakened by the shock of what had occurred. He later filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the sheriff’s department, claiming that his son had been surrendering when he was shot more than twenty times. The lawsuit argued that the use of deadly force was unjustified and that Cameron’s death could have been prevented.
This legal action brought renewed attention to the case and raised complex questions about mental health, family violence, and law enforcement response. It also underscored the depth of Ron Ely’s pain. Having already lost his wife, he now faced the loss of his son under circumstances that would forever remain controversial. The man who once portrayed a fearless jungle hero now lived with sorrow that no role could prepare him for.
Ron and Valerie got married in 1984 and had three children. The couple became grandparents for the first time in 2018 when their daughter Kaitland gave birth to her first child, a little boy. Valerie was 62 years old when she was killed.
What happened with Ron and Valerie’s son, Cameron Ely?
Valerie was killed on October 15, 2019, when she was stabbed to death by her son, Cameron Ely, at the family home in California.
Officers who were called to the scene in Santa Barbara reported that they found Valerie dead after having suffered ‘multiple stab wounds’.
They found Cameron, who was 30 at the time, outside the home. He was deemed a threat after deputies were unable to ‘gain verbal control of the suspect’ and officers fired shots at him, fatally wounding Cameron and killing him at the scene.
A statement on the tragic incident from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff said: ‘The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at the home of actor Ron Ely.
‘Upon arrival, deputies contacted Ron Ely and discovered his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, 62, deceased with multiple stab wounds inside the home. While on scene, deputies identified the suspect as the Ely’s son, 30-year-old Cameron Ely.
‘Deputies searched the residence and surrounding area for Cameron Ely. During the search, the suspect was located outside the home. He posed a threat and in response four deputies fired their service weapons at the suspect, fatally wounding him. No deputies were injured during the confrontation with the suspect.’
‘The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is conducting criminal, coroner’s, and administrative investigations of this incident. Autopsies of both the victim and the suspect are pending. The names of the involved deputies will be released at a later date.’
In October 2020, Ron Ely filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
In court documents obtained by People, the lawsuit claimed that Cameron was surrendering before police shot him more than 20 times.
The life of Valerie Lundeen Ely was defined by grace, discipline, and devotion to her family. Before becoming the wife of a television star, she had built her own reputation through hard work and public achievement. Born with ambition and charm, she pursued a career as a flight attendant and quickly gained recognition in the world of beauty pageants. In 1980, she was crowned Miss Airline International, a title reserved for flight attendants who exemplified professionalism and poise. One year later, she earned the title of Miss Florida USA and went on to compete in the Miss USA pageant, placing her in the national spotlight.
Friends from that era remembered Valerie as confident but kind, someone who balanced competitive spirit with genuine warmth. When she married Ron Ely in 1984, she chose a life less focused on public attention and more centered on family. She embraced motherhood with pride and dedication, raising three children alongside her husband and helping create a household that valued faith, structure, and closeness. Valerie was known among neighbors and acquaintances as a woman who kept her family united and offered support whenever someone needed it.
Their son Cameron Ely grew up in the shadow of his father’s fame but also under the guidance of two parents who believed deeply in discipline and personal responsibility. Cameron was athletic and intelligent, and at times showed promise in sports and academics. However, reports later suggested that he struggled with emotional and mental health challenges as he entered adulthood. Those closest to the family have stated that Cameron’s behavior became increasingly unpredictable in the years leading up to the tragedy, although the family kept most of these struggles private.
On the night of October fifteenth, two thousand nineteen, that private struggle erupted into violence. Valerie was found dead inside the family home, having suffered multiple stab wounds. The suspect was identified as her own son, Cameron Ely. Deputies located him outside the residence and attempted to take him into custody. According to law enforcement statements, Cameron posed a threat and failed to comply with verbal commands. Four deputies fired their weapons, killing him at the scene.
The speed and brutality of the incident left the public stunned. In a single evening, a family that had been together for decades was torn apart. Ron Ely, who had been inside the home when deputies arrived, survived the night but lost both his wife and his son. The emotional impact of this loss was beyond measure. For a man who had once portrayed strength and control on screen, the real world delivered a pain no script could have imagined.
In the weeks following the tragedy, tributes poured in for Valerie. Friends described her as a devoted mother and grandmother who cherished family gatherings and simple routines. Her daughter Kaitland spoke publicly about her mother’s kindness and the devastating shock of losing her in such a violent way. Fans of Ron Ely expressed sympathy and disbelief, struggling to understand how such horror could strike someone whose image had been associated with heroism and adventure.
Public reaction also focused heavily on the death of Cameron. Some expressed sorrow for a young man whose life ended in violence, while others questioned the actions of law enforcement. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced that multiple investigations were underway, including criminal, coroner, and administrative reviews. Officials emphasized that the incident was complex and that full transparency would take time.
One year later, in October two thousand twenty, Ron Ely filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the sheriff’s department. The lawsuit alleged that Cameron had been surrendering when deputies shot him more than twenty times. According to court documents, Ron believed that his son could have been taken into custody without lethal force. The case drew national attention and reignited debates over police response to mental health crises and the use of deadly force.
For Ron Ely, the lawsuit was not only a legal matter but also a personal mission. Friends said he felt compelled to speak out for his son and to seek accountability for what he believed was an unnecessary death. Already grieving the murder of his wife, he now carried the burden of fighting for his child’s memory in court. His once private retirement became overshadowed by legal battles and public scrutiny.
Throughout this period, Ron Ely’s health reportedly declined. The emotional strain of losing his family members and reliving the tragedy through court proceedings took a toll on his physical and mental well being. Those who knew him said he became more withdrawn, spending much of his time reflecting on the past and the life he once had. The man who had thrilled audiences with daring stunts now faced the slow and painful process of coping with grief.
The tragedy surrounding the Ely family also sparked conversations about mental illness and the importance of early intervention. Some advocates argued that Cameron’s struggles may have been overlooked or misunderstood, and that more support systems might have prevented the violence. Others emphasized the need for better training for law enforcement officers dealing with emotionally unstable individuals. The case became a symbol of how quickly family conflict can escalate into irreversible loss.
Media coverage continued for years, often revisiting the story whenever new legal developments occurred. Each headline reminded the public of the night when a beloved television icon lost everything. Ron Ely’s name, once associated primarily with Tarzan, became inseparable from the tragedy that claimed his wife and son.
Yet even in sorrow, many remembered the positive legacy of Valerie Lundeen Ely. Her life, though cut short, was marked by achievement, devotion, and love. Those who knew her insisted that she should not be remembered only for the manner of her death but for the decades she spent nurturing her family and contributing to her community. In that sense, her memory remained a quiet source of strength for those who survived her.
In the years following the tragedy, Ron Ely lived a quiet and largely private life, far removed from the fame that once defined him. Friends and family members said he was deeply affected by the loss of his wife and son, and that grief became a constant companion in his later years. Though once known for his physical strength and commanding screen presence, Ely now faced emotional pain that no role could shield him from.
Despite his sorrow, Ely continued to speak fondly of his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, remembering her as the foundation of their family. He described her as a loving mother, a devoted grandmother, and a woman whose warmth held their household together. Those close to him said that Valerie’s absence was felt in every part of his daily life, from simple routines to family gatherings that could never be the same again.
The wrongful death lawsuit he filed in 2020 reflected not only his grief but also his determination to seek answers about what happened to his son, Cameron Ely. Ely believed that Cameron’s death could have been prevented and that law enforcement had acted with unnecessary force. While the legal case unfolded slowly, it remained a reminder of how deeply the tragedy had scarred him. For Ron Ely, the courtroom became a place where personal loss and public accountability collided.
As time passed, Ely’s health declined, and he withdrew further from public life. He rarely gave interviews and spent his remaining years surrounded by family and close friends. Those who visited him said he reflected often on his career and his family, remembering happier days before everything changed. Though he had been a television hero to millions, his most important role had always been that of husband and father.
When Ron Ely died at the age of eighty six, news of his passing was met with both admiration and sadness. Fans remembered him for his portrayal of Tarzan, a character who symbolized courage and humanity. Yet many also remembered the heartbreak that followed him in his later years, making his story one of both triumph and tragedy.
His legacy is therefore complex. On one hand, he remains an icon of classic television, a man who brought a legendary character to life with intelligence and physical authenticity. On the other hand, his final chapter is inseparable from the devastating loss of his wife and son. Together, these elements form a story that reflects both the brightness and darkness of the human experience.
For the public, Ron Ely’s life became a reminder that fame does not protect against suffering. Behind the image of Tarzan was a man who endured unimaginable pain yet continued forward with dignity. His story now stands as a reflection on love, family, and the fragile nature of peace.
As one family friend once said, “Ron will always be remembered as a hero on screen, but the courage he showed in real life was in surviving what no parent or husband should ever have to face.”
In the end, Ron Ely’s life was not only about the jungle adventures that made him famous, but about the enduring strength of a man who faced tragedy with quiet resilience. His memory lives on through his work, his family, and the lessons his life continues to teach about loss, love, and perseverance.