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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Ricardo Montalban, Activist, Fantasy Island Actor Dies

Ricard Montalban had died. He was 88 years old. According to a statement by his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith, the actor succumbed to "complications of advancing age". Montalban was born in Mexico City in 1920. He was a star in Mexican movies before coming to the United States when hired by MGM in the 1940s to appear in big expensive American film productions with swimming star Esther Williams.

Montalban is best remembered as the welcoming wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke on the hit tee vee show "Fantasy Island". He is also known for his portrayal of the alien super being "Khan" on the original Star Trek television show a role he reprised in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Watch video:



Klingon proverb - "Revenge is a dish best served cold. It is cold in space." Khan

Ricardo Montalban is held in high esteem by his community for his contributions. Among them his assistance in founding the ALMA Awards, which honor and encourage fair portrayals of Latinos in entertainment.

In an interview during the 1970s Ricardo Montalban said, "The Spanish-speaking American boy sees Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid wipe out a regiment of Bolivian soldiers. He sees `The Wild Bunch' annihilate the Mexican army. It's only natural for him to say, `Gee, I wish I were an Anglo.'"

By all reports from family, friends, fellow actors he was the spirit of humility, and excellence. He was known for giving back to the community. They say he was just plain decent man.

With his wife the former Georgiana Young, actress, model and younger sister of actress Loretta Young, whom he married in 1944, he had four children: Laura, Mark, Anita and Victor. Ricardo and Georgiana remained one of Hollywood's most devoted couples. She died in 2007.

Montalban is survived by daughters Laura and Anita, sons Victor and Mark and six grandchildren.
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