Dia De Los Muertos: Ricardo Montalbán Is Dead
14 January 2009, 9:55 PM. By Alex Alvarez
Mexican actor Ricardo Montalbán, most famous for his role as “Fantasy Island’s” debonair Mr. Roarke, died this morning in his Los Angeles home. He was 88 years old.
Montalbán enjoyed success as a film actor as well, starring in movies with the likes of Clark Gable and Lena Horne. …And in movies like 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Montalbán is also well-known for his turn in a series of commercials for the Chrysler Cordoba, further cementing himself deep within the pungent annals of pop culture with his mellifluous delivery of the line, “soft Corinthian leather.” Oh, Mr. Montalbán, do go on!
Montalbán also left behind a legacy of activism and charitable works having founded the ”Nosotros Foundation” - a non-profit organization aimed at improving the image and job prospects of Latinos in Hollywood.
Fellow actor Edward J. Olmos remembers him thusly:
[He is] one of the true giants of arts and culture. He was a stellar artist and a consummate person and performer with a tremendous understanding of culture . . . and the ability to express it in his work.
Ricardo Montalbán will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered.
‘Fantasy Island’ actor Ricardo Montalban dies at 88 [Los Angeles Times]
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Is it horrible that I saw that pic and immediately thought of my Halloween costume for this year?
Yes, which is why we love you.
He was an excellent actor…not to be encapsulated by his later roles. He was one of the wonderful actors of this this century.
I recently caught some of his movies on tcm from the ’40’s and ’50’s…really, he was fantastic.
I also loved his turn as Grandfather in the Spy Kids movies. Ay Papi!