When you hear the last name “Lively,” you probably think of the famous acting family – Blake, Robyn, Lori, Jason and their parents Elaine and Ernie. But before marrying Ernie, Elaine was wed to Ronnie Lively. While not much is publicly known about him, Ronnie played an important role in the Lively family story.
In this article, we’ll shed some light on who Ronnie Lively is and his life before, during and after his marriage to Elaine.
Who is Ronnie Lively?
Ronnie Lively, whose full name is Ronald Otis Lively, was the first husband of actress and talent manager Elaine Lively. He is the biological father of Lori and Jason Lively, who were later adopted by Elaine’s second husband Ernie when he married Elaine.
Details about Ronnie’s date of birth and current age are not publicly known. He has largely stayed out of the spotlight, in contrast to his famous ex-wife and children.
Early Life and Background
Not much is known about Ronnie Lively’s upbringing, family, education or early adult years before marrying Elaine. He has managed to keep details of his early life very private over the years.
It’s unclear where he was born or raised and what he did for a living when he was younger. Ronnie’s background remains quite a mystery to the public.
Marriage to Elaine Lively
Ronnie Lively was married to Elaine Lively for a period of time, likely sometime in the 1970s based on the ages of their children Lori and Jason. However, exact details of when and where Ronnie and Elaine got married, and for how long they were together, are not publicly known.
What is known is that the couple had three children together during their marriage – son Jason (born 1968), and daughters Lori (born 1966) and Robyn (birthdate unknown). Elaine gave birth to all three before later marrying Ernie Lively in 1979.
Family and Children
With Elaine, Ronnie Lively had two daughters, Lori and Robyn, and a son Jason. All three would go on to have acting careers like their half-siblings Blake and Eric from Elaine’s marriage to Ernie.
Lori has appeared in films like The Dukes of Hazzard and on TV shows such as Savannah, The L Word and Life Unexpected. Jason is known for roles in movies like National Lampoon’s European Vacation and on TV series such as The Dukes of Hazzard and My Wife and Kids.
The Lively siblings seem to have a close bond, often supporting each other’s projects and posting family photos on social media. However, Ronnie himself is rarely, if ever, mentioned or pictured.
Ronnie Lively’s Career
There are no confirmed public details about what Ronnie Lively did for a living, either during his marriage to Elaine or after their divorce. His educational background and any professional training are also unknown.
Some unverified online sources have stated he may have worked as a farmer, but this has not been corroborated by any official sources or statements from the Lively family. Ultimately, Ronnie’s career remains undisclosed.
Life After Divorce
Following his divorce from Elaine, not much is known about where Ronnie Lively lived, if he remarried, or had more children. He seems to have deliberately maintained a very low public profile in the decades since.
When Elaine married actor Ernie Lively in 1979, Ernie adopted Ronnie’s children Jason, Lori and Robyn. The kids took the Lively last name and were raised by Ernie and Elaine alongside their half-siblings Blake and Eric.
It’s unknown how much of a role, if any, Ronnie continued to play in his children’s lives after Elaine and Ernie married. The Lively siblings have shared very little about their biological father publicly.
Public Interest in Ronnie Lively
Despite his connection to the famous Lively acting clan, there is relatively little public interest in or information available about Ronnie Lively. His name pops up occasionally in profiles about his celebrity children or ex-wife, but no major interviews or features have been done about him.
In an industry where family connections are often highlighted, the lack of details about such a close relative of one of Hollywood’s most famous families is unusual. However, it seems to align with Ronnie’s desire to stay out of the limelight.
Current Life and Legacy
As of 2025, Ronnie Lively’s current whereabouts, marital status, and even whether he is still living are unknown to the public. He has succeeded in keeping an extremely private life in recent decades.
Ronnie’s legacy seems to be in his children, who have gone on to successful acting careers and personal lives of their own. Jason, Lori and Robyn have undoubtedly been shaped by their upbringing and family, of which Ronnie is an integral part, even if his role has been kept hidden from public view.
In the end, while Ronnie Lively remains largely a mystery, his place in the tapestry of the Lively family cannot be denied. As the father of three of the famous siblings and Elaine’s first husband, he is a crucial part of their history and story, even if the details remain untold.
Net Worth
Because so little is known about Ronnie Lively’s occupation, income sources and assets, his net worth is also undetermined. With no major public business dealings or holdings to his name, it is difficult to estimate his wealth.
Some questionable online sources have posted speculative figures, but none have been confirmed by Ronnie himself or any official documentation. Without more background on his finances and career, Ronnie Lively’s net worth remains anyone’s guess.
Conclusion
Though not a Hollywood celebrity himself, Ronnie Lively’s connection to the entertainment industry is undeniable. His low-profile life and the enigma surrounding his story serve as a reminder that one can still have a profound impact on the world of entertainment without being in the spotlight.
