Ron Ely’s cause of death was revealed seven weeks after his death on Sunday, September 29, at the age of 86.
According to his death certificate obtained by TMZ, Tarzan star died of “end-stage heart disease” at 7:04 p.m. His body was later cremated.
Ely’s daughter Kirsten announced her father’s death in a lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday, October 23. The caption appeared alongside a series of photos of the couple on her wedding day, with other family members and some sweet snaps from her childhood.
“The world lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I lost my father,” she wrote. “My father was someone people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“The impact he had on others is something I’ve never witnessed in any other person – there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him,” she continued.
“I knew him as my father – and what an honor that was from heaven. To me he hung the moon. My father was my world – and what an amazing world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and He was is ridiculously funny. He was dynamic and powerful. He was humble and the respect he deserved.
Ron Ely, star Tarzan Serje, dies at the age of 86, 5 years after the shocking death of his wife and son
She went on to describe his life story as one of “relentless tenacity, undying devotion to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willingness to make sacrifices to make the dreams of those he loved come true.”
“It was also a story of joy and love – something that everyone close to him was privileged to experience,” Kirsten pointed out. “Once you knew my father’s love, the world became a brighter and more meaningful place. I’m doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace I know he would have wanted for me. I’m picking up the pieces of my heart that I feel are pieces of him— and fixing them firmly in place before I pick up the rest of the broken pieces. It makes me feel like a part of him is still here—and I need it—and the world needs it.”
Ron Ely.
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Fatal killing of Tarzan actor Ron Ely’s son Cameron ruled ‘justifiable homicide’
Finally, Kirsten said her “greatest comfort is knowing my dad is with my mom and my brother,” referring to the alleged 2019 stabbing death of Ely’s wife Valerie at the hands of his son Cameron, who was later shot and killed by police.
“It is also my greatest sadness because I miss everyone so much that it is etched in my soul,” she wrote in her tribute. “I will proudly carry all my favorite parts – lovingly cemented in my heart – until we all meet again.”
Ely is best known for playing the iconic character Tarzan on NBC from 1966 to 1968. He appeared on The boat of love, Fantasy islandand Wonder Woman.
He also acted in the film from 1975 Doc Savage: Man of Iron and Bronze. His last role before his death was in a 2014 television movie Expecting Amish. His IMDb page also shows that he was supposed to be involved in an upcoming project titled Mesopotamia.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education