Actor Ron Ely, best known for playing Tarzan in the 1960s television series, has passed away at the age of 86. His later years were marked by devastating tragedy, following the violent deaths of his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, and their son, Cameron Ely. The loss capped a long and complicated chapter in the life of a man once celebrated for his heroic on-screen persona.
Ron Ely rose to fame portraying the jungle hero Tarzan in the NBC series that aired from 1966 to 1968. Athletic, charismatic, and strikingly handsome, he embodied the adventurous energy of the role, performing many of his own stunts and earning a reputation as a real-life action star. Beyond Tarzan, he appeared in a variety of television shows and films, and later found a second career as a host, notably presiding over the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981. By the early 2000s, he had largely retired from acting, living a quieter life with his family in Santa Barbara, California.
That peace was shattered in October 2019, when Ely’s wife of 35 years, Valerie Lundeen, was killed at their home. Valerie, a former flight attendant and beauty queen, was found dead at the age of 62 after being stabbed multiple times. The attacker was identified as their son, 30-year-old Cameron Ely. Police were called to the family residence in the upscale Hope Ranch area after receiving a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived, they discovered Valerie’s body inside the home.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies located Cameron outside the house shortly afterward. Authorities stated that he was considered a threat and that deputies fired multiple shots after being unable to gain control of the situation verbally. Cameron was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office later released a statement confirming that Ron Ely had been present in the home but was unharmed. He was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation following the trauma of the incident.
Valerie Lundeen’s life had been marked by grace and accomplishment long before the tragedy. In 1980, she was crowned Miss Airline International, a beauty pageant for flight attendants. The following year, she went on to win Miss Florida USA and competed for the national Miss USA title. Her future husband, Ron Ely, was also connected to the world of pageantry at that time, serving as host of the Miss America competition in both 1980 and 1981. The two met soon afterward and married in 1984.
Their marriage lasted more than three decades, during which they raised three children—Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron. The family enjoyed a close bond and maintained a low public profile despite Ron’s celebrity. In 2018, Ron and Valerie became grandparents for the first time when their daughter Kaitland welcomed a baby boy. Friends and neighbors described Valerie as devoted, warm, and deeply family-oriented—a mother who dedicated herself to raising her children and creating a nurturing home.
The deaths of Valerie and Cameron sent shockwaves through the Santa Barbara community and the entertainment world. In the aftermath, Ron Ely filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that officers used excessive force when they shot Cameron. Court documents claimed that Cameron had been attempting to surrender and posed no immediate threat when deputies opened fire, reportedly shooting him more than 20 times. The lawsuit further alleged that authorities failed to handle the initial 911 call properly and did not provide adequate medical care after the shooting. The case reignited debate over the use of deadly force by law enforcement, especially in situations involving mental health crises or family violence.