Fantasy Island’s “Mr. Roarke” Ricardo Montalban dies at 88

Ricardo Montalban, the actor who greeted the plane as Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, died in his Beverly Hills home Wednesday at the age of 88. Read more on Ricardo Montalban’s death and see the photo gallery and videos below.

Montalban’s son-in-law Gilbert Smith said that Montalban had been in declining health for months and died from “complications of advancing age.”

“He was in peace,” said Smith, who said that the actor was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. “He will be missed,” added Smith.

Montalban was Born in Mexico City and partially educated in the U.S., and began his career in the early ’40s playing bit parts on Broadway and lead roles in films from his native country. In 1947, MGM brought him to Hollywood to be a romantic lead.

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Although Ricardo Montalban had a long career in movies, he became known as Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, as Kahn, Captain Kirk’s nemesis in the 1982 film Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn.

Montalban was proceeded in death by one year by his wife of 63 years, Gorgiana Young, the younger sister of his frequent co-star Loretta Young.

“[She is] the only love of my life,” the actor said in 2004.

He is survived by four children and six grandchildren.

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Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island:

Here’s a video of Cyd Charisse and Ricardo Montalban:

Images: PR

Source: news

Posted by: Monya

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