Advertisement

Mike Henry,Tarzan star and former NFL player, dies aged 84

Mike Henry, former NFL player and star of Tarzan in the 1960s has died aged 84.

The actor's family announced he died on January 8 at St Joseph Medical Centre in Burbank following years dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy and Parkinson's disease, which was brought on by head injuries Mike endured while playing football.

Mike Henry on Tarzan
Mike's star rose while appearing in a series of Tarzan films. Photo: Getty Images

Mike's star rose while appearing in a series of Tarzan films, he then moved on to work with Burt Reynolds on the Smokey and the Bandit franchise.

RELATED

He worked on a number of films before retiring in 1988 due to Parkinson's disease.

“You could not find anyone who ever spoke ill of Mike. He was one of the loveliest men ever to grace this earth,” his wife Cheryl Henry told Variety.

Mike Henry stars in Tarzan
Mike Henry, former NFL player and star of Tarzan in the 1960s has died aged 84. Photo: Getty
Mike
Mike's star rose while appearing in a series of Tarzan films, he then moved on to work with Burt Reynolds on the Smokey and the Bandit franchise. Photo: Getty

Mike was spotted by a producer while playing one of his final games in the NFL, this lead to an audition for the role of Tarzan and in three years he shot three films: Tarzan and the Valley of Gold, Tarzan and the Great River and Tarzan and the Jungle Boy.

Some of his other film and TV work includes roles in The Longest Yard, Soylent Green, Rio Lobo, The Green Berets, General Hospital, Fantasy Land, The Six Million Dollar Man and 77 Sunset Strip.

He is survived by his daughter Shannon Noble and wife Cheryl.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.