Tarzan star Ron Ely dies at 86 as family pay tribute to 'one of the greatest men'

The US star featured in the original NBC series from 1966 to 1968, and broke a number of bones in the role.

He was also reportedly attacked by animals while performing his own stunts for the gig.

The iconic actor's daughter stated this week: "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad."

The touching Instagram tribute continued: "My father was someone that 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.

"The impact he had on others is something that I have 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 dad - and what a heaven sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.

"My father was my world - and what an incredible world he created. He was strong and protective. He was brilliant and ridiculously funny. He was stoic and sensitive.

"He was dynamic and powerful. He was my role model and inspiration. He was humble and inherently received respect - the respect he so deserved.

"My father’s life story was one of relentless perseverance, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved.

"It was also a story of joy and love - something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place."

Ely retired from acting back in 2001, going on to publish two mystery novels.

However, he did make a brief return to acting for one film, Expecting Amish, in 2014.

Ely is also known for hosting the Miss America pageant during the early 1980s, where he met his second wife Valerie Lundeen.

The couple went on to have three children, but in a tragic event, Lundeen was stabbed to death at the age of 62 by their son, Cameron, in 2019.

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Cameron was then shot dead by police.

Ely filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police, but a judge ruled the force had acted in self-defence.

Fans have taken to social media to pay their own tributes to the actor, whom they remember fondly for his Tarzan role.

The actor died at his Santa Barbara home in California on September 29.