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Ron Ely
1938-
Updated 4/24/2008.
biography
Native Texan Ron Ely was born Ronald Pierce in 1938. In The mid 1950s, he enrolled at the University of Texas, but he soon made his way to California. After signing with 20th Century Fox in the late 1950s, Ely appeared in small roles in several films and television shows, including the films South Pacific and The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker and the TV series How to Marry a Millionaire (1957-1959; with Merry Anders, Barbara Eden, and Lori Nelson). And in 1960 Ely was cast in the CBS series The Aquanauts, but the show was cancelled after just one season. Several more films followed, but his big break didn't come until 1966, when the 6'4" actor was cast in the role of Tarzan for the TV series of the same name.
Ron Ely as Tarzan
Ely had tried out for the role of Tarzan after Jock Mahoney abandoned the role in 1963, but he lost out to football player-turned-actor Mike Henry. Henry made three Tarzan films and was originally cast for the series, but he declined it after some bad experiences while shooting his first Tarzan film. Ely was then cast in the role.
After a number of attempts to create a Tarzan TV series had failed, producer Sy Weintraub finally was able to bring Tarzan to the small screen in 1966. Tarzan aired on NBC beginning in September 1966 and lasted until September 1968, with each episode running at about 47 minutes. In the series, there is no Jane in sight; Tarzan is assisted only by Cheetah and Jai (Manuel Padilla Jr.), an orphan. Citing sagging ratings and rising production costs, NBC canceled Tarzan in 1968. Throughout the run of the series, several films were released, mostly using footage from the series. In the early 1970s, Ely made a number of films in Germany, where he became very popular in a brief series of adventure films. His next hit would come in 1975, with the release of Doc Savage.
the films of ron ely
The Night of the Grizzly (1966)
Clint Walker slaps Ron Ely in Paramount's The Night of the Grizzly
Tarzan (1966-1968 NBC TV Series)
LEFT, From the episode The Professional, which aired during season two on January 5, 1968. CENTER A: From the episode Last Of The Supermen, which aired during season two on November 3, 1967 (thanks to Kris Donaldson). CENTER B and RIGHT: Various shots
Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion (1967)
From Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion
Doc Savage (1975)
Promotional photos and screen captures from Doc Savage
Fantasy Island (1978-1984 ABC TV Series)
From Ron Ely's guest appearance on ABC-TV's Fantasy Island, episode My Fair Pharoah/The Power, which originally aired on May 10, 1980
ron ely today
In the past few years, Ely has cooled his acting career, focusing instead on writing mystery novels focusing on the character, Jake Sands. His novels are titled Night Shadows and East Beach, both published in the mid 1990s. But on occasion, Ely makes appearances on popular TV shows, his most recent being Sheena and Renegade.
South Pacific (Special Edition) [DVD](1958) DVD
Popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about life on a lonely Pacific island post during World War II where a young Navy nurse falls for a French plantation owner. Can their love survive, even as the shadow of war looms ever closer? Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor and Ray Walston star. Songs include "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Happy Talk," and more; based on James Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific." Includes the original theatrical release and the roadshow version; 151 min./172 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.0, Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; "making of" documentary; featurettes; photo gallery; sing-along songs; theatrical trailer; more. Two-disc set.
Cry Of The Black Wolves [DVD](1972) DVD
In the frozen North, a trapper (Ron Ely) is wrongly accused of murder and tracked by a bounty hunter. Can he prove his innocence and find the real killer? Exciting German actioner based on a story by Jack London. 90 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono.
ron ely out-of-print vhs available from amazon.com
ron ely books available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Slavers (1978) with Ray Milland, Cameron Mitchell, and Britt Eklund
Killing Me Softly (1976) with Senta Berger
Doc Savage (1975) with Paul Gleason, Robyn Hilton, and Pamela Hensley
Halleluja and Sartana Strike Again (1972)
The Cry of the Black Wolves (1972)
Tarzan's Deadly Silence (1970) with Jock Mahoney and Woody Strode
Tarzan and the Four O'Clock Army (1968) with Maurice Evans and Julie Harris
Tarzan and the Perils of Charity Jones (1967) with Woody Strode and Julie Harris
Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion (1967) with Jason Evers, William Marshall, and Nichelle Nichols
Night of the Grizzly (1966) with Clint Walker, Martha Hyer, Keenan Wynn, and Nancy Kulp
Once Before I Die (1965) with John Derek and Ursula Andress
The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959) with Clifton Webb and Jill St. John
The Fiend Who Walked the West (1958) with Hugh O'Brian
South Pacific (1958) with Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, Ray Walston, France Nuyen, Doug McClure, Richard Harrison, Ken Clark, and Tom Laughlin
TELEVISION SERIES
Sea Hunt, 1987-1988 syndicated TV series
Face the Music, 1979-1981. Ely served as the host of this syndicated game show
Tarzan, 1966-1968 NBC-TV series. The series also aired on CBS from June 1969 through September 1969
The Aquanauts, 1960-1961 CBS TV series (aka Malibu Run)
links
Tarzan Titles and Air Dates Guide
This site contains a complete listing of all 57 Ron Ely Tarzan episodes, with titles and original air dates.
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This page premiered May 6, 1999.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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