Ricardo Montalbán R.I.P.
01-14-09, 04:10 PM
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Ricardo Montalbán R.I.P.
'Fantasy Island's' Ricardo Montalban Dead at 88
LOS ANGELES — Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, a Los Angeles 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."
LOS ANGELES — Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, a Los Angeles 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://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479941,00.html
R.I.P. Mr. Montalban.
"Smiles everyone, smiles."
Last edited by The Valeyard; 01-14-09 at 04:13 PM.
01-14-09, 04:29 PM
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01-14-09, 07:21 PM
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Re: Ricardo Montalbán R.I.P.
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01-15-09, 09:10 AM
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Re: Ricardo Montalbán R.I.P.
Gonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Charlie Goose; 01-15-09 at 09:18 AM.
01-15-09, 09:54 AM
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Re: Ricardo Montalbán R.I.P.
For most of us, we remember Montalbán as Mr. Rourke from Fantasy Island, perhaps his best-known acting role.
Because I vividly remember seeing this show during its first run on ABC, I really feel old with his passing.
Because I vividly remember seeing this show during its first run on ABC, I really feel old with his passing.
01-15-09, 12:09 PM
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Re: Ricardo Montalbán R.I.P.
Fantastic actor. Besides his major roles like Fantasy Island and Khan on Star Trek I also enjoyed his appearances on Mission: Impossible, Columbo and Crime Story.
RIP Ricardo Montalban
RIP Ricardo Montalban
