Handsome Ricardo Montalban was the epitome of continental elegance, charm and grace on film and television and in the late 1940s and early 1950s reinvigorated the 'Rudolph Valentino , published his memoir, entitled "Reflections: A Life in Two Worlds". A class act who was beloved in the industry for his gentle and caring nature, the long-term effects of his spinal injury eventually confined him to a wheelchair in his later years. He died in his Los Angeles home of complications from old age on January 14, 2009 at age 88. His wife having died in 2007, he was survived by their two daughters and two sons: Laura, Anita, Victor and Mark.
Wife Georgiana Young s sister was actress Loretta Young.
In 1993, he had a 9 1/2 hour surgical operation on his spine to repair an old back injury he received while filming Across the Wide Missouri . He had been in constant pain ever since and confined to a wheelchair as a paraplegic.
Brother of actor Carlos Montalbn.
For years, he was a commercial spokesperson for Chrysler Corporation automobiles.
Half-brother-in-law of Polly Ann Young , Sally Blane and Loretta Young , half-uncle of Judy Lewis and Christopher Lewis.
Agreed to reprise his role of Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan for only $100,000 because he loved the role so much. He also watched the original series episode "Space Seed" to recall Khan, worried that he would sound like Mr. Roarke.
Was nominated for Broadways 1958 Tony Award as Best Actor for "Jamaica".
Is one of two very famous "Star Trek" movie villains to reprise his/her role. He played Khan Noonien Singh in both the television series episode "Star Trek" {Space Seed (#1.22)} and Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan .
Had appeared in episodes of three different series with Madlyn Rhue : "Bonanza" , "Star Trek" and "Fantasy Island" . They played husband and wife in the first two of these series.
In 1970, he founded the non-profit organization "Nosotros" whose goal is "to help fulfill the goals of persons of Spanish-speaking origin in the motion picture and television industry".
In 1999, he purchased an old Hollywood theater designed by the well-known architect John C. Austin which was built in 1927: "...conceiving a plan to rebuild this theater to benefit the diverse community and to build a state-of-the-art school to compliment this live theater".
Had played a Japanese gangster in the television series episode "Hawaii Five-O" {Samurai (#1.4)} . The eye makeup was so binding that Montalban could not blink. As a result, the continuous shots of Montalban are always short. The effect is a little jarring. Most people blink when they move their head to readjust their eyes. Montalban never does when moving his head on camera.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island" .
Had four children with Georgiana Young. Sons: Victor Montalban (born April 18, 1952) Mark Montalban (born March 13, 1947). Daughters: Laura Montalban, clothing designer (born August 12, 1945) and Anita Montalban (born March 21, 1949).
His friendly "Latin Lover" rivalry with fellow Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star Fernando Lamas prodded a memorable "Saturday Night Live" sketch in later years with Bill Murray titled "Quien es mas macho, Fernando Lamas o Ricardo Montalban?".
Made 13 Spanish-language films in Mexico before his American debut in Fiesta .
Montalbans dignified demeanor and rich Spanish accent added flair to the small screen on a number of television series. This also established him as a popular pitchman for Maxwell House Coffee and Chrysler Corporation.
Replaced his friendly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer rival Fernando Lamas in the musical comedy Latin Lovers opposite Lana Turner whose at-that-time, real-life affair with Lamas had reached a tempestuous conclusion.
Had appeared with Cyd Charisse in six films: Fiesta , On an Island with You , The Kissing Bandit , The Mark of the Renegade , Sombrero and Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood .
Had played two villains who have a device that induces characters to accept commands to kill someone: Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan , and Vincent Ludwig in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! .
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
In 1986, he recorded a public service announcement celebrating Americas generosity and hospitality to him as a foreign-born actor, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.
He was awarded Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1998, the highest honor bestowed upon a layperson in the Roman Catholic Church.
Following his death, he was interred with his wife Georgiana Young at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
He was a member of the Good Shepherd Parish and the Catholic Motion Picture Guild in Beverly Hills, California.
Attended and graduated from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California.
Thank you very much.
[In a 1978 interview, analyzing the success of,"Fantasy Island" (1977) ] What is appealing is the idea of,attaining the unattainable and learning from it. Once you obtain a,fantasy, it becomes a reality, and that reality is not as exciting as,your fantasy. Through the fantasies, you learn to appreciate your own,realities.
Mexican is not a nice-sounding word and Hollywood is at fault for this,because we have been portrayed in this ungodly manner.
[on his famous role on "Fantasy Island" (1977) ] Mr. Roarke,manipulates everything and everyone. In the eye of the fantasizer,Roarke has the power of life and death.
[on the Nosotros Foundation] I received tremendous support, but there,also were some negative repercussions. I was accused of being a,militant, and as a result, I lost jobs.
