Ron Ely's cause of death was confirmed approximately two months after his death.
after Tarzan The actor died at the age of 86 on September 29, and his death certificate listed the cause as “end-stage heart disease,” an advanced form of cardiovascular disease that makes the heart too weak to pump blood effectively.
The affidavit listed Eli's time of death as 7:04 p.m., and indicated that his body had been cremated, according to TMZ.
Eli's daughter, Kirsten, had previously told the outlet that her father died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Kirsten shared an emotional tribute to her father on Instagram. “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known, and I have lost my father,” she wrote.
Ron Ely as Tarzan
Kurt Gunther/TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
“My father was someone people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, teacher, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. His influence on others is something I have never witnessed in anyone else – there was something magical about him.” Really, that's how the world knew him.
“I knew him as my father — and what a heaven-sent honor he was. “For me, he stuck the moon,” Kirsten added.
After playing supporting roles in films like South Pacific (1958), The villain who walked the west (1958) and The wonderful Mr. Pennypacker (1959), Eli landed the role of Tarzan on the NBC series in 1966. He did almost all of his own stunts on the series, suffering broken shoulders and various lion bites in the process.
