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Ricardo Montalban Passes Away at 88
14-Jan-2009
Written by: Sari N. Kent
Ricardo Montalban, known to the viewing public as Mr. Roarke on ABC’s “Fantasy Island” and the despicable Khan in the second “Star Trek” motion picture, has died at the age of 88.
Ricardo Montalban, who was best known for playing Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, died Wednesday in his home in Los Angeles.
According to HollywoodReporter.com, “Montalban's death was announced at a meeting of the city council by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.”
Although most people remember Montalban as the charismatic Mr. Roarke on ABC's 1978-84 hit series, Fantasy Island, Montalban’s suave demeanor and polished manner enabled him to play various roles that ranged from the villain to an Indian Sioux chief in the miniseries, How the West Was Won, for which he won an Emmy.
Speaking of villains, Montalban played one of the most dastardly in motion picture history when he played the malevolent Khan in the second “Star Trek” movie. Conversely, Montalban wasn’t afraid to do comedy as he starred in the 1988 Leslie Nielsen spoof flick, The Naked Gun.
Due to his dark and ruggedly handsome good looks, Montalban was often cast as the “Latin lover” during his tenure at MGM in the 1940s. Coupled with Fernando Lamas, the two played a number of passionate Latin leads during the 1940s and '50s for MGM. His looks also contributed to his being cast in a multitude of ethnic roles in the 1950s such as an American Indian and his memorable performance alongside Marlon Brando and Red Buttons as a Kabuki actor in 1957’s Sayonara.
The HollywoodReporter.com article mentions how he rose to fame at MGM, “Montalban won distinction in his first leading role opposite Cyd Charisse in ‘Fiesta’ (1947), a romantic bullfighter extravaganza that starred Esther Williams. He gave a gritty performance as a U.S. soldier in ‘Battleground’ (1949), the foxhole saga of the Battle of the Bulge, which won a screenplay Oscar as well as best picture and best director nominations.”
In the 1960s, Montalban starred in such films as 1964’s Cheyenne Autumn and 1966’s
The Singing Nun. He also was a television staple making guest appearances on television shows like The Virginian, Ben Casey, Burke's Law, The Defenders, Dr. Kildare and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
According to HollywoodReporter.com, “Born Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalban y Merino on Nov. 25, 1920, he spent much of his youth living not far from the Los Angeles Coliseum. He returned to Mexico as a young adult to begin his movie career, where he played in a wide array of romantic fodder. During this period, he also performed on the stage, landing small parts on Broadway.”
Unfortunately, by the mid-1990s, following an operation for a spine injury he sustained while filming 1951’s Across the Wide Missouri, he dealt with severe back problems that caused him to use a wheelchair for mobility.
Montalban is survived by his four children.
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