MSNBC Breaking: ‘Fantasy Island’ star Ricardo Montalban dies

[Dennis Donovan]

Source: MSNBC.com

updated 3 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - 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.

</snip>

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28661103 /

---

Cross gently, Ricardo...

[onehandle]

1. Khan? nt

[Jack Rabbit]

10. The same

Ricardo Montalban as Khan Noonien Singh
in the episode "Space Seed" from the television series Star Trek
Wikipedia

[calimary]

36. Yeah. Dammit.

What a terrific, elegant actor - and a really nice man.

[The Doctor.]

71. Data's Grandfather?

Nah...

[hamsterjill]

17. Loved him as Khan

And yes, I confess...I used to watch Fantasy Island, too!!

[IndianaGreen]

32. Khan was a deliciously wicked villain

in both ST Classic and the film.

Who can forget his Chrysler Cordova commercials, with Corinthian leather.

[Cronopio]

51. With the most genetically superior pecs in the universe. nt

[awoke_in_2003]

67. What is funny...

is there was no such thing as Corinthian Leather. They just started picking words until they found out that "corinthian" sounded good when Ricardo said it.

[awoke_in_2003]

65. No, it is "KHAAAAANN!!!!" nt

[stopbush]

2. Dupe. Also reported on LA Times.

Earlier thread here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Not a dupe - different forum...

[Cheap_Trick]

3. I should hope his coffin is lined with rich, corinthian leather.

Farewell Khan, Mr. Rourke.

[Fovea]

4. And they should play

Rodrigo's Concierto Aranjuez.

[msanthrope]

The Orange Juice Concerto.....good call n/t

[Fovea]

53. The original commercial

used a section of movement 2.

Rodrigo wrote it while on the run from Franco's secret police.
Further impressive is that he was blind.

[msanthrope]

7. The Orange Juice Concerto.....good call n/t

[laststeamtrain]

9. "Cordoba haas what I need...'

That guy could tear up a line like that.

Class act.

[jmowreader]

59. This is the spot...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIL3fbGbU2o

[awoke_in_2003]

68. I mentioned upthread...

that they called it corinthian leather because it sounded good when he said it. Cordoba sounds pretty good, too

[fudge stripe cookays]

48. Dude. Don't make me laugh so hard...it's unseemly.

Inappropriate but damn funny.

[gort]

55. He's with Jesus Chrysler now.

Rest Well, Ricardo.

[jberryhill]

66. Nope. Instead of a fancy coffin, he chose - The Plain! The Plain! /nt

[AyanEva]

5. In my head

my first reaction was KHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!

edit because I can't spell

[TheWraith]

13. I was wondering how long it would take somebody to go there.

[AyanEva]

85. Oh I'm the biggest Trekker ever

I'd be sorely disappointed in myself if I didn't go there immediately.

[Sequoia]

44. What does Cap'n Kirk think of this?

[Donnachaidh]

8. that's two, who will be the third?

Celebrity deaths seem to run in threes -- Patrick McGoohan, Ricardo Montalban -- ??

[SpookyCat]

22. Bettie Page... sniff! :(

[Dennis Donovan]

26. Sadly, Bettie died a few weeks ago...

[SpookyCat]

30. I know....mebbe she was the 3rd...

All good long lives, but still...sad...

[Demeter]

24. Patrick McGoohan!!!!

Oh, no!

[Faygo Kid]

11. "From hell's heart, I stab at thee."

He was great in that movie, and many more.

A couple of real losses in show biz today.

[n2doc]

14. "Khaaaaaan!"

Yep, he was great. In the first Trek episode too.

[AsahinaKimi]

60. ah man!!

HE was fantastic and will be sorely missed. I really did not know him till he was in Star Trek, and the fact they brought him back for the Movie said a lot about his role. Wow, just wow, what a great actor he was!

[Charlie Brown]

69. "He tasks me . . . He tasks me"

"And I shall have him. I'll chase him round the moons of Nibia and round the Antares maelstrom and round perdition's flames before I give him up."

I never appreciated Moby Dick until I experienced The Wrath of Khan.

[CTyankee]

12. "Lee Iaccoca's dream!"

What was the name of that damn car he used to pitch?

[NeoConsSuck]

15. Chrysler Le Baron?

[L0oniX]

41. Cordoba

[ozymandius]

16. Vo-lar-ay

Saturday Night Live's Adobe car commercial was based on it I think. “German engineering and Mexican know-how helped create the first car to break the $200 barrier.”

[Cronopio]

19. Speaking of SNL ...

I always thought Ricardo Montalban was way mas macho than Fernando Lamas. How could you miss it?

[laststeamtrain]

18. Cordoba. n/t

[Cronopio]

20. Corrrr-DO-baaaah! Montalban could sell the word as well as the car.

The r *must* be rolled for the proper effect.

[laststeamtrain]

23. "...crrrrushed velvourrrrr..."

That ad always gave me the feeling that he had an 'interesting' private life. Which is, of course, none of my business.

[Ohio Joe]

21. Sad, RIP - nt

[SpookyCat]

25. Sad, but he had a nice long life!

And he did really good things while he was here, on and off screen.

Still, losing Kahn and Number 6 on the same day is hurtie...

[BootinUp]

27. Enjoyed his work immensely

Sorry to hear this.

[Tab]

28. Thought he died a while ago (sorry to say it)

and although I don't like Billy Crystal now, I can't forget his imitation - "It's better to look good than to feel good". Quite classic.

[4_Legs_Good]

29. One of the best voices in history

vastly underused, too. As a Latino, he was also an inspiration.

Rest in peace, sir.

David

[machI]

31. We have reached the end of Fine corinthian leather

<>

[Dennis Donovan]

34. I loved the Cordoba...

Two of my older brothers had one - I always thought they were one of the sharpest cars Chrysler ever made.

[Rhiannon12866]

49. My boss at the amusement park had one, too...

Silver with dark red "real Corinthian leather" seats. We never let him live it down from the very first day, LOL. He was a mechanic by trade and I recall he was less than delighted with it...

[valerief]

35. LOL!

[MrMickeysMom]

50. What WAS corinthian leather?

Didn't matter to me... he could sell it.

I salute thee, on fine corinthian leather, sir.

[machI]

56. It could only be harvested from the knee caps of honest Republicans

Chrysler just made up "Corinthian Leather" for their advertisements.

[MrMickeysMom]

75. Oh, That's why they don't exist!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

74. Letterman asked Montalban that same question

his response:
"I don't know. But it sounds great when I say it."

[MrMickeysMom]

76. That's funny.

[CTyankee]

83. Must have been a "variation" of cordovan leather. Back in the 50s as I recall

cordovan shoes were preppy to the extreme but it also referred to the dark red color a tanning process that originated in Cordoba Spain. Here is a further explanation: http://men.style.com/gq/fashion/styleguy/shoes .

So the ad guys just wanted you to "think" expensive leather and they snuck in "corinthian" which usually is applied to certain Greek columns...

[MrMickeysMom]

84. B'hah! I have been enlightened!

You gotta admit, this guy made a lot a people remember that commercial.

However, I now feel sorry I have so many cordovan shoe preferences in my closet. Well, since they were making dog food anyway...

[valerief]

33. Wow, he lived to be pretty old and still looked great. When he was in his prime,

va-va-va-voom! What a handsome, sexy guy!

[martymar64]

37. Ricardo Montalban, TV Star and Chrysler Pitchman, Dies at 88

Source: Bloomberg

Jan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor whose regal bearing and sonorous voice led to roles as a science-fiction villain, the host on the mysterious “Fantasy Island” and pitchman for the “soft Corinthian leather” of the Chrysler Cordoba, has died. He was 88.

Montalban died at his home in Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported today, citing City Council President Eric Garcetti. No cause or date of death was given.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aPb...

---

A truly class act.

RIP Khan.

[Ian David]

38. Guess those pieces of The True Cross he was selling on TV didn't save him. Kirk Wins!

[Thickasabrick]

39. RIP....I loved you Mr. Rourke.

[librechik]

40. They found him on his favorite couch made of

rich Corinthian Leather...

RIP, handsome!

[Robbins]

42. Terrable News

For me he will always be Khan.For Me the original Star Trek Is the best.And Star Trek II Is my favorate Trek Film.The greatest
Star Trek Villian ever.In december Trekkers lost Majel barrett,and now Ricardo Montalban.

[jobycom]

43. Wow, sad day. Remember the Taco Bell commercial?

Don't know why, but it was one of my favorite Super Bowl commercials. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBJCoPRRDuw

Mr. Rourke, Khan, Luis Montoya (a bullfighter in a Columbo episode), Grandfather in Spy Kids, Senor Senior, Sr in Kim Possible... Lot of memories of an impressive career.

Darn darn darn.

[MrsBrady]

81. cute tribute

i've never seen that

(don't like football.)

[Sequoia]

45. "da plane, da plane.....!"

Rest in peace Ricardo. I liked him in "Space Seed" !

[road2000]

46. Majel Barrett Roddenberry and McGoohan, too?

Rest in peace, all three.

I remember Montalban being interviewed on a late night show (Cavett maybe?) some years after the Chrysler commercials. The host asked him to reveal a deep secret: was it really Corinthian leather? Montalban laughed and said something like, "Damned if I know!"

[cascadiance]

70. Yeah, too many of the old Star Trek greats are leaving us now!

[Rhiannon12866]

47. Awwww... That's really too bad.

He was quite entertaining. I wasn't a huge "Fantasy Island" fan, but I did enjoy his Chrysler Cordoba ads, with "real Corinthian leather..."

Godspeed, Mr. Roarke...

[lenegal]

52. R.I.P Mr. Montalban

I hope your casket is lined with rich corinthian leather. You will be missed.

[Diclotican]

54. Dennis Donovan

Dennis Donovan

How sad I can still hear his sound in my head. He had a verry distinctive voice... But I never belived him to be an Mexican?.. I belived him to be either english, or an american with some fine schooling behind him.. Anyway, he was an dam good actor..

And at the age 88 we should never expect something else than a man could die either...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language.

[Rhiannon12866]

78. Your English is head and shoulders above my Norwegian, LOL.

Terrific post. It's great to have you with us!

Rhiannon

[Diclotican]

80. Rhiannon12866

Rhiannon12866

Thank you, and I hope my Norwegian are better than you to, after all, it is my language . And it looks like my english, is coming pretty well to after all. And it is no surprise that your Norwegian can be little rusty, after all, Norway have just 4.6 mill last counting.. Both Sweden and Denmark have more people Sweden I believe have almost 9 mill and Denmark almost 6 mill.. So compared to many other country, we are few and far between here in Scandinavia . And we for the most part understand each other too. Even that some danish have some problem with Norwegian, because they confuse it to be swedish, and refuse to talk because of some old grudge against Sweden.. once I had to say" dam it, I am not a F*** Swedish, I am Norwegian, to get proper service: But I got it on the end too ... But then, it was in the south of Denmark, almost in Germany..

Good to have you too with all of us

Diclotican

[Rhiannon12866]

92. Thank you, my friend, but I'm afraid I speak no Norwegian.

That's one thing I've learned about my fellow Americans, they expect everybody else to speak English. And most of the time they're right.

I've spoken to my friend's third grade class (eight-year-olds ) when they study Russia because I've spent time there. And I tell the children that one thing that other countries do much better than we do is to teach other languages and to start it early.

I met a very nice Russian girl in St. Petersburg, about my age, sat next to me at the opera. She kept apologizing because she "didn't finish" her English, but she was obviously fluent in Russian, and also in French and Italian! I managed to communicate with her using my very rusty French. I also speak a little Polish, since my grandparents came to the US from Poland and it's my mother's first language.

But the closest I've ever been to Norway is Finland, beautiful country, friendly people. And one of my oldest friends on DU is also from Norway, a sports fanatic and a terrific guy. I'm sorry that I haven't seen him for awhile.

So you're in good company here, my friend, and I admire your abilities with English!

Rhiannon

[Diclotican]

94. Rhiannon12866

Rhiannon12866

My friend, it can be because most on the outside of US, know that the common language who everyone else understand is english, and for the most part we learn it in school.. When I was in school it was from 3 grade, today I believe it to be from 1 grade in fact, even that I am not sure about that... And lucky for americans overseas we tend to be willing to use our newfound language even that we might not manage the whole language at all.. Except for the french, but them are little proud about their France language then... But for the most part, specially after ww2 we tend to be better in english.. Before the war, it was usually german who was the preferred second language, even that I do not know why...

Ah, you are one of them, who have been outside your own country - and own a passport (amazing ) And in St Petersburg, one of the most beautifully City's in whole of Russia.. And specially the most westernized city in Russia.. Made by Emperor Peter the great who was very found of Europe, and wanted to be part of it. And who in many cases modernized Russia to the brink of revolution, compared to what came next and before.. And Russian are not been on the lazy side of education, even that they have had some problems in the past 17-20 year.. I had a friend when at college, and he was in russian school for a year.. But he had to have special classes in match, because even that he was one of the smarter in Norway, he was not following the math they had there... And many of the greatest mind in math, have always been russian... And the school is trying their best to educate them as best as they can. But I am not sure about that everyone in russian school are fluent in french and italian.. But in many Eastern european country, they do learn language very early, and it is very st-rich regime in school, so the kids learn a lot.. But the school in many Eastern European country's is pretty hard...

Good you can some polish, more than I can I am afraid.. But for the most part I got by, even with people who is not fluent in english too.. Some good will, and some belief in being understanding is everything I Believe.

A Finland, Suomi. Nice Country, never been there, even that I have almost been standing at the border to Finland, Was in the northern part of Sweden, and almost was in Finland at one point. But yes, Finland is a very nice, beautifully country.
You should try to visit Norway some days, you would not believe all the nature you can discover here.. Even that our capital Oslo is just like other capital city's, you have a lot of beautifully nature here to. You can in fact walking into the wood, 15 min from Downtown Oslo.. You can't do that in many american City's I am pretty sure about

And then you have the other city's in Norway, Bergen (the old capital) Stavanger, Trondheim, Bodø, and so on.. Every part of Norway have something nice to it.. You should try to visit Lofoten, and north up to Kirkenes.. Specially if you ever got the money, take Hurtigruta who are going from Trondheim to Kirkenes and back.. We might not have all the summer beaches of the world.. But our Lord was very nice when he made our little country..

Well, as I pointed out, we got it in very soon, and we have a tendency to just text foreign language TV movies and series. Even on Cinema we tend to do that.. And therefore we got the english part more or less "natural" from pretty young age.. It is in other parts of Europe, like the central and eastern european country they tend to double it with the native language.. And I have to say, Some old series are not the same in germany as in native english...

Thank you Rhiannon, hope you have it good where you are tonight, and that you and your loved once is safe

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language.

[Politicalboi]

57. He did good comedy too

Like The Naked Gun.

[Blue_Tires]

93. i'm surprised you're the first to bring that up

great, great funny role

[shadowknows69]

58. Man, TV legends just dropping like flies this week

Good Journeys to Mr. Roarke and Prisoner Number Six. Both did some great movies too.

[BumRushDaShow]

61. R.I.P

He will be missed.

[Divine Discontent]

62. I wasn't even 10, but I loved Fantasy Island - great stories (to me at least)

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

RIP

[Strathos]

63. I loved him. Just watched the Planet Of The Apes he was in

and was thinking what a great man he seemed to be. RIP Ricardo in a heavenly fantasy island all your own.

[UTUSN]

64. K&R #4 (do I hear #5?!1) for a great human, apart from ethnicity, so will the Hugo crow KICK?!1 n/t

[MilesColtrane]

72. I guess you could say that he's passed on to the next PLANE, BOSS!!

[intheflow]

73. He was one of those people who always showed up in guest roles on tv shows

starting in the 1950's. In addition to playing Khan in the original Star Trek series, he was also in one or more episodes of the following shows:

General Electric Playhouse
Wagon Train
Playhouse 90
Bonanza
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (though damned if I remember that episode!)
The Untouchables
Ben Casey
Dr. Kildare
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
The Singing Nun
Daniel Boone
The Wild Wild West
Mission: Impossible
It Takes A Thief
Gunsmoke
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Hawaii Five-O
and
Wonder Woman

And those are just the more popular shows! He was in many others. It's like he was part of the soundtrack of my youth, no wonder it feels like the passing of a distant family member to me.

Plus: he was 62 when he reprised Khan in the Wraith of Khan! He was in pretty good shape for a 62-year-old!

[Dogmudgeon]

77. He was in a couple of Apes movies, too

He was the kindly zookeeper who protected baby Milo (child of Zira and Cornelius) from the bad guys like Severen Darden.

--p!

[Frank Cannon]

79. Vaya con Dios, senor Montalban

He was terrific in everything he ever did. I seem to remember he even once played a Japanese guy on Hawaii Five-O. That guy could do anything well.

[Coventina]

82. Yes, in season one, episode is called "Samurai"

"While a Honolulu crime boss (Montalban) faces prosecution, McGarrett and his squad have the deadly task of protecting the gangster from a society of Japanese assassins."



RIP Mr. Montalban....

[whopis01]

86. KHHHHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!! n/t

[JHB]

87. 'Fantasy Island’ star Ricardo Montalban dies

Source: MSNBC/AP

LOS ANGELES - 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, his family said. He was 88.

Montalban’s death was first announced at a city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. He died “from complications of advancing age,” his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith, later said.

“He was so gracious, and Aaron was always humbled by Ricardo’s gratitude for ’Fantasy Island,” said Candy Spelling, wife of the late Aaron Spelling, who created the show. “I miss him already, and wish his family well.”



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28661103 /

---

Geez, He's been in so many things I've seen he's like an old uncle.

Earnest condolences to his family.

[Orrex]

88. Seems like I heard about this only yesterday

Forty or fifty times...

My, how time flies!

[sandrakae]

89. OMG Mr. Roark . I loved him.

[uppityperson]

90. Ricardo Montablan, still dead.

[BrklynLiberal]

91. He had a good longlife. I heard he was 80+. It was on TV last night.