Murder suspect is shot dead by deputies at Santa Barbara home of 1960s Tarzan actor Ron Ely, 81, after a woman was killed at the property
- Ron Ely, 81, has been reported as safe by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s department
- The connection between Ely, the dead suspect and the victim is still unknown
- Ely is married to former Miss Florida, Valerie Lundeen, and they have 3 children
- The actor is best known for playing the lead role in the 1966 Tarzan TV series
Santa Barbara police have said that an elderly woman has been killed at the house of 1960s Tarzan actor Ron Ely.
The man suspected of murdering the woman was shot and killed by a deputy at the scene at the Hope Ranch residential community along the Santa Barbara coast, where Ely lived.
Deputies responded to a family disturbance call to discover the body of an older woman at around 8.15 pm on Tuesday.
Ely, who is now 81, featured in a number of TV appearances during the 1960s but found his break playing the lead role in the 1966 NBC series Tarzan (pictured)
Santa Barbara police have said that an elderly woman has been killed at the house of 1960s Tarzan actor Ron Ely
Ron Ely, 81, pictured here as the title part in 1975 movie Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
Ron Ely and former Miss Florida wife, Valerie Lundeen, pictured here at a 1977 tennis event
Authorities have said that Ely is safe and that no other police officers were injured.
Lt. Erik Raney of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office said the suspect was armed and presented as a threat.
Ely, who is now 81, featured in a number of TV appearances during the 1960s but found his break playing the lead role in the 1966 NBC series Tarzan.
He also played the title role in 1975 movie Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze.
As well as a career studded with occasional parts on TV, Ely hosted the Miss America pageant between 1979 and 1981.
He retired from acting in 2001 but did return for a part in a TV movie called Expecting Amish in 2014.
Ely married to former Miss Florida, Valerie Lundeen, and they have three children together.
Authorities are yet to confirm the connection between Ely, the dead suspect and the victim.
Actor Ron Ely and family attend Second Annual Toys for Tots Benefit on December 19, 1992 at Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California
As well as a career studded with occasional parts on TV (pictured here playing Tarzan in 1966), Ely hosted the Miss America pageant between 1979 and 1981.
Profile of Ron Ely
- Ronald Pierce Ely is an American actor and novelist born in Hereford, Texas, and raised in Amarillo.
- Best known for playing the lead role in 1966 NBC series Tarzan
- He also played the title role in 1975 movie Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
- When not acting, Ely hosted the Miss America pageant between 1979 and 1981.
- He retired from the profession in 2001 but did return for a part in a TV movie called Expecting Amish in 2014
- Ely was married to Cathy Ely for a short two year marriage from 1959 to 1961
- He has been married to former Miss Florida, Valerie Lundeen, for 35 years
- The couple have three children together called Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron
- Ely embarked on novel writing career during the 90s and wrote two mystery books involving the fictional private eye, Jake Sands
- Night Shadows was released in 1994 and East Beach one year later