You became a hero to many, appearing on Friday and (later) Sunday nights in the 1960s, television Tarzan.
Your strapping physique was ideal for the role, as it was for Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze. You were also an excellent, older Kal-El on the Gerard Christopher Superboy, a heartless hunter on the Wolf Larson Tarzan, and a swell, renewed Mike Nelson for the 1990s Sea Hunt.
On the accompanying movie front, you gave a virile thrust to South Pacific; Cry of the Black Wolves; 100 Fists and a Prayer; The Fiend Who Walked the West; The Night of the Grizzly; The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker; Expecting Amish; Slavers, The Seal; and McGit.
Beyond Tarzan, you played regular, Mike Madison on the exciting Aquanauts and hosted Face the Music, with hearty guest spots on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp; Hawkeye (1994); Wonder Woman; Sheena (2001); Wonder Woman; Steve Canyon; Thriller; The Millionaire; How to Marry a Millionaire; Renegade; Ironside; Marcus Welby; Matt Houston; Fantasy Island (with several appearances through the original run); The Love Boat; L.A. Law; Hotel; Playhouse 90; The Courtship of Eddie's Father; Father Knows Best; and The Many Loves of Doby Gillis.
You went through blissful times and hard times, Mr. Ely, but you also stood above the pack. Your ability to persevere should stand as a lesson to us all, and it will, for your legend (like those of the characters you portrayed) has no choice but to live on.
No comments:
Post a Comment