Ron Ely dead: Tarzan star dies aged 86 as daughter shares tribute to ‘one of the greatest men’

TARZAN star Ron Ely has tragically died aged 86.

The legend's daughter confirmed he passed away peacefully on September 29 in an emotional tribute.

Ely starred in the 1960s TV show Tarzan, portraying Lord of the Jungle.

Tall and musclebound, Ely formed the image of the shirtless, loincloth-wearing character he remains as in modern depictions.

Tarzan was a fictional character raised in the African jungle.

The Texan actor was offered the gig after former NFL linebacker Mike Henry quit after being bitten in the jaw by a chimp.

Ely also played the title character in the 1975 action film Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.

He was host of the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981 and later married former contestant Ms Lundeen.

They had three children together - Kirsten, Kaitland and Cameron.

The late actor was born in 1938 in Hereford, Texas, and headed for California after attending University of Texas for a year.

Uploaded on Instagram, daughter Kirsten said: "The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known - and I have lost my dad.

"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 tribute featured a slideshow featuring photos of them together throughout the years.

She 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.

"I knew him as my dad - and what a heaven sent honor 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."

After Tarzan, Ely did several other movies in Europe as well as working on TV shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Wonder Woman, LA Law and Sheena.

In the 1990s, the star played retired Superman on Superboy and a game hunter in the syndicated Tarzan the Hunted.