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"One of the greatest men": Tarzan star dies at age 86

<p><em>Tarzan</em> star Ron Ely has died at the age of 86. </p> <p>The news of his passing was confirmed in an emotional statement by his daughter Kirsten, who wrote, “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad."</p> <p>“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 impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person – there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him.”</p> <p>“I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.”</p> <p>“My father’s life story was one of relentless perseverance, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved,” Kirsten continued.</p> <p>“It was also a story of joy and love – something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place.”</p> <p>“I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me,” she added. </p> <p>“My greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother. It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul. I will proudly carry all of my favourite pieces of them – lovingly cemented into my heart – until we all meet again.”</p> <p>Ely first one to fame in the 1960s with his role as <em>Tarzan</em> in the NBC TV series, which ran from 1966 to 1968. </p> <p>He later returned for Universal’s <em>Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze</em> in 1975, and took on guest roles on some of TV’s biggest shows, including <em>Wonder Woman</em>, <em>The Love Boat</em>, <em>Fantasy Island</em> and <em>Superboy</em>.</p> <p>Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirstin and Kaitland. In 2019, his son, Cameron, was shot and killed by Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies after allegedly stabbing his mother, Ely’s wife, to death.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Matthew Rettenmund / Banner/Kobal / Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Caring

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Why Ron Wilson broke down in tears on Weekend Sunrise

<p>Veteran newsreader Ron Wilson broke down in tears on Weekend Sunrise as he recounted how Salvation Army’s Red Shield appeal helped him and his family during Cyclone Tracy.</p> <p>Wilson, who presented the Channel 10 news for 33 years, appeared on the breakfast show to promote the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://salvos.org.au/">Salvation Army’s Red Shield</a></strong></span> appeal.</p> <p>He got emotional as he described how his family lost everything during the cyclone that decimated Darwin in 1974. Cyclone Tracy killed more than 70 people.</p> <p><img width="419" height="236" src="https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/1ab41ab714da6db1d2793d6d3ba5b93f?width=650" class="tge-imagecaption_img" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Wilson, who was 19 at the time, told Weekend Sunrise hosts Monique Wright and Basil Zempilas, the Salvos helped them get back on their feet – evacuating them to Sydney and finding them accommodation.</p> <p>“I’m going to get blubbery,” the 62-year-old said. “When we got out of Darwin they were there to meet us ... ”</p> <p>Wright, comforting Wilson, replied: “We know that every day someone from the Salvos would give you and your mum a $20 note”.</p> <p>Wilson went on but looked very upset.</p> <p><img width="389" height="219" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/13e990ab81d16a28e660448e0445cba8" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“This was in the days before mobile phones so to apply for jobs you had to go and stand ...” he said before stopping. “I’m sorry,” he said with tears. “You spent the money on the public phones to make calls to get jobs.”</p> <p>Wilson, who still has PTSD from Cyclone Tracy, spoke through his tears to explain why he was willing to recall such a painful past to promote the Salvos Red Shield Appeal.</p> <p>“The reason I do this is because I know how important it is for them and while it’s difficult for me I’m happy to come here and do this because it’s so important,” he said. “Putting $10 in that bucket today makes a big difference.”</p>

News

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“Happy Days” cast reunites to farewell late co-star Erin Moran

<p>Two weeks after it was announced their co-star Erin Moran had sadly passed away of stage IV cancer at the age of 56, the cast of <em>Happy Days</em> have reunited to pay tribute to the late actress. A photo of cast members Scott Baio, Cathy Silvers, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Ron Howard and Don Most attending Moran’s memorial service have been shared with <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/happy-days-cast-reunites-to-honor-late-costar-erin-moran-w480451" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Us Weekly</span></strong></em></a>.</p> <p><img width="499" height="345" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36218/image__499x345.jpg" alt="happy days reunion" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“It was very emotional,” Silvers told the magazine. “We were a private family and a public family. It’s an interesting dynamic. It was bittersweet and very loving and a lot of laughter and a lot of tears.”</p> <p>Moran famously played the role of Joanie Cunningham on the hit show from the age of 14 and went on to star in its short-lived spin-off series,<em> Joanie Loves Chachi</em>.</p> <p>Henry Winkler, who played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, unfortunately missed out on the memorial due to promotional commitments for his upcoming children’s book, <em>Here’s Hank: Hooray! My Butt Left the Bench!</em> Winkler, however, paid tribute to Moran in his own way.</p> <p>“I will always remember Erin with her sweet smile that greeted me on the very first day I walked onto the set of <em>Happy Days</em> in 1974,” he told <a href="http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/happy-days-star-erin-moran-dies-at-56-1202393048/" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Variety</span></em></strong></a> at the time of her death. “She was only nine years old. For the next 10 years, that smile never faded. Unfortunately, yesterday it did. My condolences go out to her family. She will always be locked in my heart.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Cathy Silvers/Us Weekly.</em></p>

TV

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Wise 90-year-old answers life’s important questions

<p>A 90-year-old blogger has become an unlikely viral sensation after sharing his wisdom about life with the Internet on online forum Reddit. Roland John “Ron” Lehker took to the site to let users ask him any questions they had about life, love, and what it was like to edge closer to the big 100. His answers were just perfect!</p> <ul> <li><strong>His advice to young people</strong> – “I really don't keep up, but I have depended upon my grandchildren to keep me a bit ‘in the loop’. My advice would be to make sure you are still keeping in touch with the views and values of the older generation.”</li> <li><strong>The most important thing in life</strong> – “Family.”</li> <li><strong>On people calling him “adorable”</strong> – “Since it was a term I've never thought about in [relation] to myself, I was delighted when the person who wrote the article […] had it changed.”</li> <li><strong>When asked if he still felt sexual attraction</strong> – “The joy of seeing beauty is no respecter of age.”</li> <li><strong>On death</strong> – “Death is one of the few things in life that I (fortunately) do not have control of. Therefore, why worry about it.”</li> <li><strong>On the future and the potential of younger people</strong> – “Most important to me is the opportunity to try to make a difference in life – to relate to other people – to help preserve our environment. I sincerely hope you can reach beyond the television screen and realize that each of us can make a difference and find meaning.”</li> <li><strong>What it’s like to be “old”</strong> – “I can't imagine how it could be better. I used to think people were old at 60!”</li> </ul> <p>What advice would you give to younger generations? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/grandparents-share-secrets-to-a-happy-marriage/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Grandparents share their adorable 5 secrets to a happy marriage</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/mick-jagger-expecting-baby-number-eight/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>72-year-old Mick Jagger expecting baby number eight</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/heartbreaking-news-for-tom-hanks-and-his-family/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Heartbreaking news for Tom Hanks and his family</span></em></strong></a></p>

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