Ricardo Montalban

Ricardo Montalban Headshot

Actor

Birth Name: Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino

Birth Date: November 25, 1920

Death Date: January 14, 2009

Birth Place: Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico

Handsome, erudite and blessed with an exceptionally rich, sonorous voice, Ricardo Montalbán made the transition from supporting character actor to lead player with a pair of iconic roles, as diverse as they were memorable. Working within the studio system of the 1940s and '50s, the Latino actor was initially cast as whatever ethnicity was needed for a role, most often as a Latin Lover in films like "Fiesta" (1947), but also as a Native-American in "Across the Wide Missouri" (1951) or an Asian, as in "Sayonara" (1957).

A Tony-nominated turn on Broadway opposite Lena Horne in the 1957 production of "Jamaica" earned him the respect of his peers, although not the leading roles he sought. Montalbán kept busy with dozens of guest turns throughout the 1960s on such programs as "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (NBC, 1964-68), "The Wild, Wild West" (CBS, 1965-69) and most memorably, in an episode of "Star Trek" (NBC, 1966-69). At last, the veteran actor became a household name as the enigmatic Mr. Roarke, host of "Fantasy Island" (ABC, 1977-1984), then eclipsed that fame with his reprisal of Captain Kirk's titular nemesis in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (1982).

He continued to work ceaselessly on various TV shows and films, even performing from a wheelchair in "Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams" (2002), after being paralyzed from the waist down. Remembered as a man of integrity and perseverance, Montalbán earned the loyalty of his contemporaries, as well as generations of fans.

Montalbán was born on Nov. 20, 1920 in Mexico City, Mexico. As a teenager he moved to the United States at the behest of his elder brother Carlos Montalbán, where his poor English skills threatened to keep him out of Los Angeles high schools. Studying English for hours each day at downtown L.A.'s Belmont High School, he had improved enough to be accepted to the more esteemed Fairfax High School, where he started trying out for and winning parts in plays. It was at Fairfax where a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer executive first caught him on stage during a performance of "Tovarich." The exec was impressed enough to signing Montalbán to a contract with the then largest and most prestigious studio in town.

The young actor cut his teeth on a number of Spanish language films initially, but also began landing parts in MGM musicals set in exotic Latin locales before scoring his first starring role as Pablo Rodriguez in "Border Incident" in 1949. The studio - not sure what to do with the handsome, but obviously Hispanic-looking actor in those white-washed days - went on to appear in countless Westerns in the 1940s and 50s, playing everything from a bandito to a Native American. Along with fellow Latin lovers like Fernando Lamas, Montalbán filled in whatever ethnic niche he could in those limited days. Unfortunately, while working on one of his more prestigious pictures (starring the studio's biggest star, Clark Gable) "Across the Wide Missouri" (1951), the athletic actor suffered an injury to his spinal chord which, despite surgery to repair it, would go on to plague him even decades later.

After years of paying his onscreen eye-candy dues opposite such stars as Esther Williams, Cyd Charisse and Lana Turner in mindless films like "Neptune's Daughter" (1949), "Sombrero" (1953) and "Latin Lovers" (1953), Montalbán finally earned the industry's respect when he nabbed a Tony Award for his performance in the musical "Jamaica" in 1958. In the 1960s, like most former matinee idols pushing 40, Montalbán made dozens of guest star appearances on shows such as "The Untouchables" (CBS, 1959-1963), "Ben Casey" (ABC, 1961-66) and "The Lieutenant" (NBC, 1963-65). He played several characters on "Letter to Loretta" (NBC, 1953-1961) and held a recurring role as Damon West on the very popular medical drama, "Dr. Kildare" (NBC, 1961-66). Among these guest spots was a part which would secure him a place in film and sci-fi history - the evil Khan, on "Star Trek" (NBC, 1966-69). In the season one episode, entitled "Space Seed," Montalbán played a charismatic but dangerous genetic super-man from the 20th century, revived from suspended animation. With this brief TV appearance on a show few held out much hope for succeeding, the world would not see the last of Khan. Though no foreword-thinking executive - let alone Montalbán, himself - realized this at the time.

Montalbán continued with guest spots on "Gunsmoke" (CBS, 1955-75), "Marcus Welby" (ABC, 1969-1976), "The Virginian," (NBC, 1962-1971) "Hawaii-Five-O" (CBS, 1968-1980) and even "Here's Lucy" (CBS, 1968-1974). He returned to the sci-fi fold with what would have been another villainous leading role in an alternate "Wonder Woman" (ABC, 1974) TV movie, starring Cathy Lee Crosby. But thankfully for Lynda Carter fans, the pilot did not take off. He also played the leading role of David Valerio in the short-lived corporate drama, "Executive Suite" (CBS, 1976-77).

Following such extensive TV exposure, Montalbán was tapped by producer Aaron Spelling in 1977 to play the enigmatic Mr. Roarke on the producer's latest flight of fancy, "Fantasy Island." Clad in an immaculate white suit, with his sidekick Tattoo (Hervé "De Plane!" Villechaize), at his side each week, Montalbán introduced each episode's guests as they disembarked from the sea plane, hinting at their fantasy and what it might mean for their individual destinies. At first a 1977 television movie, the show took off like gangbusters, providing a perfect fantastical bookend to the show's Saturday night lead-in, Spelling's other big hit, "The Love Boat" (ABC, 1977-1986). In the midst of the fluffy "Fantasy Island" era, Montalbán was recognized with an Emmy Award for his performance as Satangkai in the epic miniseries, "How the West Was Won" in 1978.

In an unexpected move, Montalbán was approached by Paramount to reprise his mostly forgotten role of Khan from the "Star Trek" pilot for the much-anticipated feature film sequel, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." Through his robust, red-blooded performance, Montalbán and his chiseled chest was introduced to a new generation of young sci-fi fans, who thrilled to the strategic maneuvering between Khan and William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk. Others simply enjoyed watching both actors shamelessly chew the scenery. With his profile higher than ever, Montalbán went on to star on the "Dynasty" spin-off, "The Colbys" (ABC, 1985-87), where he played powerful patriarch Zach Powers. Showing a flair for comic timing, he went on to play the villain in the classic cop spoof, "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad," (1988) opposite Leslie Nielsen. At the same time, he had been the commercial spokesman for the Chrysler Cordoba, appearing in a long-running ad campaign hailing back to the 1970s, in which his smooth Latin accent added a romantic touch to his descriptions of "soft Corinthian leather" - commercials which had been widely parodied through the years. He left such an impression with his suggestive selling technique, that even 30 years later, Montalbán was still being sought for extensive voice over and commercial work.

In 1993, Montalbán was plagued by his long-time spinal cord injury, and was confined to a wheelchair much of the time. Aside from some guest shots on "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1994-2000) and "Love Boat: The Next Wave" (UPN, 1998), he remained mostly active with voice work, providing voices for "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command," (The Disney Channel, 2000), "Kim Possible" (ABC/The Disney Channel, 2002- ) and the 2006 feature film, "The Ant Bully." He also appeared as the grandfather in the hugely successful live action kiddie film franchise, "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" (2002) and "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over" (2003). The good humored Montalbán continued to be a favorite at conventions and fan screenings, often garnering a standing ovation for his role as the malevolent mullet-wearing Khan, a role he often described as "Even when I'm not in the scene, they're talking about me." On Jan. 14, 2009, the 88-year-old actor passed away at his home in Los Angeles, with his daughter at his side.

Credits

The Ant Bully

Actor
Head of Ant Council
Movie
2006

American DadStream

Guest Voice
Gen. Juanito Pequeño
Series
2005

Spy Kids 3-D: Game OverStream

Actor
Grandpa Cortez
Movie
2003
45%

¡Mucha lucha!

Guest Voice
Show
2002

Kim PossibleStream

Guest Voice
Series
2002

Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost DreamsStream

Actor
Grandfather
Movie
2002
75%

Dora the ExplorerStream

Voice
El Encantador
Series
2000

Marian Apparitions of the 20th Century

Actor
Movie
2000

Family Guy

Guest Voice
The Cow
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
The Cow
Series
1999

Boleros! Unforgettable Love Songs

Host
Show
1996

Chicago Hope

Guest Star
Series
1994

Heaven Help Us

Actor
Mr. Shepherd
Show
1994

B.L. Stryker: High Rise

Actor
Victor Costanza
Movie
1990

The Naked GunStream

Actor
Vincent Ludwig
Movie
1988
86%

The Colbys

Actor
Zach Powers
Soap
1985

Murder, She WroteStream

Guest Star
Vaclav Maryska
Series
1984

An American Portrait

Self
Host
Show
1984

Fatima

Self
Show
1984

Cannonball Run II

Actor
King
Movie
1984

Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanStream

Actor
Khan Noonien Singh
Movie
1982
87%

Fantasy Island

Actor
Mr. Roarke
Series
1978

Fantasy Island

Director
Series
1978

El Asalto al Castillo de la Moncloa

Actor
Movie
1978

Return to Fantasy Island

Actor
Mr. Roarke
Movie
1978

How the West Was WonStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

Mission to Glory: A True Story

Actor
Gen. Lafuente
Movie
1977

Captains Courageous

Actor
Manuel
Movie
1977

Fantasy Island

Actor
Mr. Roarke
Movie
1977

Executive Suite

Actor
David Valerio
Series
1976

Executive Suite

Guest Star
Series
1976

Joe Panther

Actor
Turtle George
Movie
1976

McNaughton's Daughter

Actor
Dist. Atty. Charles Quintero
Movie
1976

Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood

Actor
Silent Film Star
Movie
1975

Try to Catch a Saint

Actor
Dist. Atty. Charles Quintero
Movie
1975

Wonder Woman

Actor
Abner Smith
Movie
1974

The Mark of Zorro

Actor
Captain Esteban
Movie
1974

La Marque de Zorro

Actor
Movie
1974

La Muerte y el Psicópata

Actor
Movie
1973

Death Follows the Psycho

Actor
Movie
1973

The Train RobbersStream

Actor
The Pinkerton man
Movie
1973
33%

Conquest of the Planet of the ApesStream

Actor
Armando
Movie
1972
52%

Fireball Forward

Actor
Jean Duval
Movie
1972

ColumboStream

Guest Star
Luis Montoya
Series
1971
84%

The Desperate Mission

Actor
Joaquin Murieta
Movie
1971

The Badge or the Cross

Actor
Al Matteo
Movie
1971

Escape From the Planet of the ApesStream

Actor
Armando
Movie
1971
77%

The Deserter

Actor
Natachai
Movie
1971

Sarge: The Badge or the Cross

Actor
Al Matteo
Movie
1971

The Face of Fear

Actor
Sgt. Frank Ortega
Movie
1971

Dan August

Guest Star
Manuel Acaba
Series
1970

Men From Shiloh

Guest Star
Francisco Sosentes
Show
1970

Sarge

Actor
Movie
1970

The Aquarians

Actor
Dr. Luis Delgado
Movie
1970

Black Water Gold

Actor
Alejandro Zayas
Movie
1970

Echo of a Nightmare

Actor
Martinez
Movie
1970

Marcus Welby, M.D.Stream

Guest Star
Rick Rivera
Series
1969

Sweet Charity

Actor
Vittorio
Movie
1969
82%

The Pigeon

Actor
John Stambler/Kane
Movie
1969

A Wrath of Angels

Actor
Father Bernard Torres
Movie
1969

The Doris Day ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
1968

Here's LucyStream

Guest Star
Series
1968

Hawaii Five-OStream

Guest Star
Tokura
Series
1968

The Name of the Game

Guest Star
Series
1968

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InStream

Guest
Variety Show
1968

Sólo Matan Solamente Una Vez

Actor
Movie
1968

Sol Madrid

Actor
Jalisco
Movie
1968

Blue

Actor
Ortega
Movie
1968

The Carol Burnett ShowStream

Guest
Variety Show
1967

The High Chaparral

Guest Star
Series
1967

The Longest Hundred Miles

Actor
Father Sanchez
Movie
1967

The Felony Squad

Guest Star
Martin Lynch
Show
1966

Star TrekStream

Guest Star
Khan
Series
1966
80%

Madame X

Actor
Phil Benton
Movie
1966

The Money Trap

Actor
Pete Delanos
Movie
1966

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Actor
The White King
Movie
1966

The Singing NunStream

Actor
Father Clementi
Movie
1966

The Wild, Wild WestStream

Guest Star
Series
1965

I SpyStream

Guest Star
Series
1965

Daniel Boone

Guest Star
Series
1964

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Stream

Guest Star
Series
1964
100%

The Rogues

Actor
Marius Konik
Show
1964

Cheyenne AutumnStream

Actor
Little Wolf
Movie
1964
60%

Buenas noches, año nuevo

Actor
Movie
1964

The Lieutenant

Guest Star
Series
1963

Love Is a Ball

Actor
Duke Gaspard Ducluzeau
Movie
1963

Pirate Warrior

Actor
Captain Gordon
Movie
1963

Rage of the Buccaneers

Actor
Captain Gordon
Movie
1963

The Black Pirate

Actor
Captain Gordon
Movie
1963

The Black Buccaneer

Actor
Captain Gordon
Movie
1963

Combat!

Guest Star
Series
1962

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonStream

Guest Star
Talk
1962

The VirginianStream

Guest Star
Enrique Cuellar
Series
1962

The Lloyd Bridges Show

Guest Star
Navarro
Show
1962

Hemingway's Adventures of a Young ManStream

Actor
Major Padula
Movie
1962
0%

The Reluctant Saint

Actor
Don Raspi
Movie
1962

Ben Casey

Guest Star
Henry Davis
Series
1961

Dr. Kildare

Guest Star
Series
1961

Cain's Hundred

Guest Star
Show
1961

Gordon, Chevalier des Mers

Actor
Movie
1961

Gordon il Pirata Nero

Actor
Movie
1961

El Guerrero del Desierto

Actor
Movie
1960

Desert Warrior

Actor
Prince Said
Movie
1960

Let No Man Write My Epitaph

Actor
Louie Ramponi
Movie
1960

Los amantes del desierto

Actor
Movie
1960

The Untouchables

Guest Star
Series
1959

Ford Startime

Actor
Show
1959

BonanzaStream

Guest Star
Series
1959

Tonight in Havana

Actor
Tio
Show
1958

ZorroStream

Guest Star
Series
1957

Wagon TrainStream

Guest Star
Jean LeBec
Series
1957

Sayonara

Actor
Nakamura
Movie
1957
82%

Three for Jamie Dawn

Actor
George Lorenz
Movie
1956

Semiramis, Esclava y Reina

Actor
Movie
1956

The Queen of Babylon

Actor
Amal
Movie
1956

Untouched

Actor
Federico Gascón
Movie
1956

Hour of Stars

Actor
Show
1955

Alfred Hitchcock PresentsStream

Actor
Series
1955

GunsmokeStream

Guest Star
Chato
Series
1955

Apache Uprising

Actor
Cochise
Movie
1955

A Life in the Balance

Actor
Antonio Gómez
Movie
1955

Operation Cicero

Actor
Cicero
Movie
1955

Climax!

Actor
Series
1954

The Saracen Blade

Actor
Pietro Donati
Movie
1954

Sombra Verde

Actor
Federico Gascón
Movie
1954

Sombrero

Actor
Pepe Gonzales
Movie
1953

Latin Lovers

Actor
Roberto Santos
Movie
1953

Death Valley DaysStream

Actor
Joaquin Murietta
Series
1952

I've Got a SecretStream

Guest
Game Show
1952

Sin Pudor

Actor
Movie
1952

My Man and I

Actor
Chu Chu Ramirez
Movie
1952

Across the Wide Missouri

Actor
Ironshirt
Movie
1951

Mark of the Renegade

Actor
Marcos Zappa
Movie
1951

What's My Line?Stream

Guest
Game Show
1950

Border Incident

Actor
Pablo Rodriguez
Movie
1950

Mystery Street

Actor
Peter Moralas
Movie
1950

Right Cross

Actor
Johnny Monterez
Movie
1950

Two Weeks With Love

Actor
Demi Armendez
Movie
1950

Border G-Man

Actor
Roderigues
Movie
1950

Battleground

Actor
Roderigues
Movie
1949

Neptune's DaughterStream

Actor
José O'Rourke
Movie
1949
100%

On an Island With You

Actor
Ricardo Montez
Movie
1948

The Kissing BanditStream

Actor
Fiesta Specialty Dancer
Movie
1948

Fiesta

Actor
Mario Morales
Movie
1947

Fantasía Ranchera

Actor
Movie
1947

Pepita Jiménez

Actor
Movie
1946

Nosotros

Actor
Movie
1945

La casa de la zorra

Actor
Movie
1945

La Hora de la Verdad

Actor
Movie
1945

Five Were Chosen

Actor
Movie
1944

Cadetes de la Naval

Actor
Ricardo Almagro
Movie
1944

Dos Cadetes

Actor
Ricardo Almagro
Movie
1944

La fuga

Actor
Movie
1944

Santa

Actor
Movie
1943

Soundies

Music Performer
Show
1942

He's a Latin from Staten Island

Actor
Movie
1941

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