Khan Noonien Singh is my favorite movie villain of all time. Maybe he will be buried in a casket lined with "rich Corinthian leather"....

Ricardo Montalban dead at 88

Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, a city councilman said. He was 88.

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.

"The Ricardo Montalban Theatre in my Council District -- where the next generations of performers participate in plays, musicals, and concerts -- stands as a fitting tribute to this consummate performer," Garcetti said later in a written statement.

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in "Fiesta." He also starred with the swimming beauty in "On an Island with You" and "Neptune's Daughter."

A later generation knew Montalban as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over an island resort where visitors were able to fulfill their lifelong dreams. "Fantasy Island" received high ratings for most of its 1978-1984 span on ABC television and still appears in reruns.

In a 1978 interview, he analyzed the series' success:

"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."

http://tv.yahoo.com/fantasy-island/show/...__ER:77030

Vaya Con Dios.

And its soft corinthian leather.

http://en.sevenload.com/videos/3QWfA7m-C...-Montalban

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Do you realize how many people remember Montalban from Fantasy Island and did not have a clue that he looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger under that white suit ???

Tons of people thought he was made to wear a "Body Suit" that enhanced his muscular structure when he played the famous Khan in "The Wrath of Khan" (circa '82).

Most did not recall the first time he played Khan Noonien Singh in the original Star Trek 60's series and that he was 'pumped up' just the same back then.

RIP one of my favorite "Strange Role" actors !!!

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The dude overcame a lot. one leg was shorter that the other yet he became a favorite of the ladies. The Wrath of Khan was the best Star Trek movie. Montalban was in really good shape considering he must have been close to 60 years old. RIP Ricardo.

You do know everyone has one leg shorter than the other, right?

(01-15-2009 10:32 AM)Paul M Wrote:  You do know everyone has one leg shorter than the other, right?

Dirty Minded individual !!!!!



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Welcome to Fantasy Island. He was a much more nuanced Mr. Roark then the later version with Malcolm McDowell. With Montalban you sensed a hint of evil in there, but weren't quite sure, with McDowell, it was a much darker Mr. Roark.

RIP Mr. Montalban