Tarzan Star Gordon Scott Dies Aged 80

'Tarzan' star Gordon Scott has died aged 80. The actor - who had been living in south Baltimore - died on Monday at Johns Hopkins Hospital of post-heart surgery complications. Scott played the jungle hero in the original 50s movies and became a worldwide star.

Danton Burroughs - a relative of 'Tarzan' creator Edgar Rice Burroughs - said: "He was an absolutely wonderful Tarzan who played the character as an intelligent and nice man who carried himself well, much as my grandfather had originally written it."

Scott made 24 movies including 'Tarzan and the Lost Safari' (1957), 'Tarzan's Fight for Life' (1958), 'Tarzan and the Trappers' (1958), 'Tarzan's Greatest Adventure' - co-starring Sean Connery and Anthony Quayle - (1959) and 'Tarzan the Magnificent' (1960).

The handsome star was discovered by Hollywood producer Sol Lesser when he was working as a lifeguard at Las Vegas' Sahara Hotel. He was given a seven year-contract after outshining 200 other aspiring Tarzan's from all over the world.

While filming his first movie, 'Tarzan's Hidden Jungle', in 1954, he fell in love with co-star Vera Miles and they married the same year. The couple divorced four years later.

After the 'Tarzan' movies, Scott appeared in Westerns and gladiator films. He spent the latter part of his life in Baltimore, living in a terraced house owned by fans Roger and Betty Thomas.

Betty said: "My husband has been a fan of his since he was a child. When we were in Hollywood about eight years ago, we looked him up.

"We invited him for a visit. He came and never left."

Betty last visited Scott in the hospital on Saturday.

She said: "I told him 'Gordon, we love you, and so does the dog and the bird.' He opened one eye for a moment and gave me a wink."