KHAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!
posted at 7:30 pm on January 14, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Simply the greatest Star Trek villain ever, and from all accounts, a charming and wonderful gentleman in real life, Ricardo Montalban has passed away at age 88. His long career includes an astounding 160+ appearances in films and television, mostly in children’s entertainment for the last few years. Even so, he will always be best known for two characters that became part of Americana — Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island and Khan Noonien Singh from Star Trek: The Original Series and the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan:
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 city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.
”What you saw on the screen and on television and on talk shows, this very courtly, modest, dignified individual, that’s exactly who he was,” said Montalban’s longtime friend and publicist David Brokaw.
After Star Trek: The Movie, fans wondered whether any of the films would regain the edge of the best of the ST:TOS episodes. Montalban brought that much-needed edge to his appearance, and the rivalry between Khan and Kirk never really got matched in any of the subsequent installments. Montalban reprised his “Space Seed” role with relish, as we can see in this clip from early in the movie:
KHAAAAAAAAAAN! We will miss you, Mr. Montalban. Godspeed.
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DADT
RIP
artist on January 14, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Patrick McGoohan died also died today.
Mark1971 on January 14, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Patrick McGoohan
diedalso died today.Mark1971 on January 14, 2009 at 7:34 PM
May his casket be lined with rich Corinthian leather.
JammieWearingFool on January 14, 2009 at 7:34 PM
RIP. He seemed like one of those who never took himself too seriously. Those were the best ones.
MadisonConservative on January 14, 2009 at 7:35 PM
He was good in children’s cartoons as stated above. I was watching Kim Possible with my kids a year or so ago and heard his voice for the cartoon character Senor Senior Senior. The patriarch of a father/son bad guy team. I believe the son’s name was Senor Junior Senior.
He was very good at delivering a straight line.
rihar on January 14, 2009 at 7:38 PM
http://echosphere.net/star_trek_insp/insp_revenge.png
Watching Montalban as Khan was one of my favorite movie going experiences. He was awesome.
KillerKane on January 14, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Kirstie Allie was also a very hot vulcan.
rihar on January 14, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Thanks for the memories, Ricardo.
Khan: [quoting from Melville's Moby Dick] To the last, I will grapple with thee… from Hell’s heart, I stab at thee! For hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee!
FreeThinkerNYC on January 14, 2009 at 7:40 PM
The nice thing about KHANNNN’s performance in “Wrath’ was that it perfectly balanced the metric ton of Ham served up by Shatner whenever the camera is rolling.
Plus they put a fanged slug in Chekov’s ear. That’ll teach that Cossack a thing or 2.
melkor on January 14, 2009 at 7:42 PM
…………… I’m late again.
God Speed Ricardo Montalban……. may you rest in peace.
Seven Percent Solution on January 14, 2009 at 7:42 PM
His long career is filled with notable roles and you had to use that picture? It makes him look like a deranged Barbara Walters.
Seriously and with the usual condolences, Fantasy Island and Star Trek may be the roles he is best known is in this pop culture society but they are far from his best work.
highhopes on January 14, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Kirstie Alley must have since eaten the Enterprise.
firepilot on January 14, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Ha! Too much, dude. Too…much!
Tzetzes on January 14, 2009 at 7:44 PM
lOOOOk what they’ve done to my cahhhhrrr… CorrrDoba
melkor on January 14, 2009 at 7:44 PM
http://www.khaaan.com
Skywise on January 14, 2009 at 7:44 PM
One of the best greeters one could ever encounter.
“…Welcome to Fantasy Island.”
Zaire67 on January 14, 2009 at 7:45 PM
RIP my friend, a real class act!
grapeknutz on January 14, 2009 at 7:45 PM
When I first got the news that he died I shouted “Kirk” so I guess we were kind of on the same page. Rest in peace Ricardo Montalban.
N15PCA on January 14, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Too bad. I loved that show growing up. Tattooo, get the bags, would you please?
RIP Ricardo.
Geronimo on January 14, 2009 at 7:46 PM
bummer, from what I know have heard about him he was hard working, strong, and had integrity, bummer indeed.
rob verdi on January 14, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Khan was a pretty good villain, and the best of that series.
rob verdi on January 14, 2009 at 7:48 PM
“Welcome to Fantasy Island…..Welcome, indeed.RIP Mr Roarke
Sanjoboy on January 14, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Ricardo was also a longtime National Review subscriber. How ’bout dat?
RIP Ricardo.
melkor on January 14, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Be seeing you.
Another great actor, especially in Braveheart.
Nosferightu on January 14, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Dear guests, I am Mr Roake, your host. Welcome to Heaven!
keep the change on January 14, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Not to mention an absolute hottie, even better looking as he got older. RIP, Mr. Montalban.
uncivilized on January 14, 2009 at 7:54 PM
so why the picture of Darrell Hall?
zhohlz on January 14, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Dammit, KHAAAAAN! was the first thing I thought when I saw Ricardo Montalban died. I am soo going to Hell for that.
Sekhmet on January 14, 2009 at 7:58 PM
You may not be going there, but the commenter DIRECTLY in front of you just might. Ouch! LOL
wccawa on January 14, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Who else remembers him crooning in the car commercial:
Vo- la-re! Oh, ooh!
jgapinoy on January 14, 2009 at 7:59 PM
I’ve done far worse than kill you, Admiral. I’ve hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her; marooned for all eternity in the center of a dead planet… buried alive! Buried alive…!
HockeyTemper on January 14, 2009 at 7:59 PM
…extolling the “fine Corinthian leather”.
jgapinoy on January 14, 2009 at 7:59 PM
I remember watching the Chrysler commercials!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIL3fbGbU2o
He will be missed:)
canopfor on January 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Boy, Shatner and Montalban knew how to chew up the scenery.
A bit cartoonish but fun.
RIP Mr. Montalban.
SteveMG on January 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
One of the best villains to fly a space ship to destruction and the best chest on an actor 60+ in ago..his was real, Barbara Walters’ is not.
Also, married to the same woman for over 60 years and four children later.
Sweetness0726 on January 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
RIP Senor Montalban. You were always a class act, even when playing the bad guy.
Vic on January 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM
One of the best villains to fly a space ship to destruction and the best chest on an actor 60+ in
agoage…His was real, Barbara Walters’ is not.Also, married to the same woman for over 60 years and four children later.
Sweetness0726 on January 14, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I’m late to, but it is actually “soft Corinthian leather” in the 1974 Chrysler Imperial. I thought it was rich as well, but not according to wikipedia.
Anyway, rest in peace.
kahall on January 14, 2009 at 8:03 PM
No Rob Verdi, Montalban was THE BEST Star Trek villain evuh!
thekingtut on January 14, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Looks like I know what’s next on the Netflix list. It’s been a long while since watching any of the old school Trek movies, and in his honor, that’s what I’ll do.
RIP.
Anna on January 14, 2009 at 8:06 PM
I developed a “grandaughter” crush on Mr. Montalban after seeing STWOK.
He was a silver fox and a class act.
Godspeed Sir!
annoyinglittletwerp on January 14, 2009 at 8:08 PM
He was one of those actors that was just so great! He was born to play the spy/secret agent! They don’t make them like these guys anymore!
JellyToast on January 14, 2009 at 8:08 PM
THIS is Ceti Alpha 5!!
Asher on January 14, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I posted it on the Virgin thread, but this link is pretty friggin’ hilarious… Khan selling Cordobas. I can’t imagine how long it took this guy to do it, but hey… a Trekkie is a Trekkie.
wccawa on January 14, 2009 at 8:13 PM
RIP. There can be only one Khan of Star Trek!
HotAirJosef on January 14, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Yes, Carlo played a magnificent Villian. I love him, and his voice. I will miss him and may he rest in Peace.
sheebe on January 14, 2009 at 8:16 PM
A Great actor, classically handsome, charming, and charismatic…
He was bein’ smooth when Billy D. Williams was in diapers…
Brad Pitt; Meh! They just don’t make ‘em like Montalban these days…
May he rest in peace, and may God bless and help his family during their time of grief…
RocketmanBob on January 14, 2009 at 8:16 PM
“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 flame before I give him up!”
One of the greatest cinematic villains of all-time. He will be missed.
R.I.P. Khan Noonian Singh
Doughboy on January 14, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Oh man, RIP Patrick & Ricardo.
rbj on January 14, 2009 at 8:19 PM
“I AM NOT A WEENIE! YOU ARE THE WEENIE!”
ZK on January 14, 2009 at 8:20 PM
I know where that’s froooommm…
Skywise on January 14, 2009 at 8:22 PM
I don’t know about all of you, but when I was 10 years old the car I wanted to drive was the Chrysler CORDOBA!!!!
chief65 on January 14, 2009 at 8:25 PM
May God the Father Almighty rest his Soul and comfort his family.
A truly great actor.
Zorro on January 14, 2009 at 8:32 PM
RIP, he was also one of the few conservatives in Hollywood according to the Corner he was a friend of and subscriber to NR.
goat on January 14, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Ed, request you retitle this post, “Ricardo Montalban, RIP.”
As much as I love Wrath of Khan (having seen it possibly 30 times), I think the man deserves something a little more dignified.
fiatboomer on January 14, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Best movie moment in history.
Shatner was brilliant in this film too – his peak, so far as I’m concerned.
Jim62sch on January 14, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Mr. Montalban had a good early role as a Screamin’ Eagle paratrooper at Bastogne in William Wellman’s “Battleground.”
http://www.amazon.com/Battleground-Van-Johnson/dp/B0007TKNLU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1231983695&sr=8-1
He definitely will be missed. (As will the chance for Eugene Levy to reprise his impression from SCTV – “The Ricardo Montalban School of Fine Acting”
MikeHu on January 14, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I never saw Fantasy Island or any of the Star Trek movies (I know, sheltered life), but I saw Mr. Montalban in interviews–he always seemed an old-school gentleman. The dignified ones are leaving us, and we are so much the poorer for it.
DrMagnolias on January 14, 2009 at 8:48 PM
RIP to one of the most fun actors to be around evah. Montalban could put life into the most mundane of characters, and turn a one guest starring role into the role that would be one of the most identifiable in motion picture history.
His work as Khan, in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, was taken from an episode almost 15 years old, from the original Star Trek TV series. Outside of the regular cast, people point to him as the most memorable of actors to appear on the show or in the movies afterward.
As Fantasy Island’s Mr. Roarke, you always had the sense that Khan was lurking about, but more playful than malevolent.
Rest in Peace, Ricardo.
john1schn on January 14, 2009 at 8:49 PM
In addition to being conservative, Montalban was also reported to be a devout Catholic.
I just finished watching “Space Seed” and am now watching Star Trek II in his honor.
RIP
Alia on January 14, 2009 at 8:49 PM
I’d second that.
It’s as if Caroll O’Conner’s (sp?) entire and significant acting career was summed up with ARCHIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! because of his memorable role as Archie Bunker.
highhopes on January 14, 2009 at 8:52 PM
You mean not in Star Trek V?
/ducks
john1schn on January 14, 2009 at 8:53 PM
I have to disagree. STII was a great chance for Montalban to be a leading player in a Science Fiction retelling of Moby Dick. Few actors get to play a role such as this.
Carroll O’Connor loved the Bunker role; it allowed him to show a range that few thought that he had. Remember, he wasn’t always playing the loudmouth bigot in the show; there were plenty of opportunities for him to put his skills on display.
john1schn on January 14, 2009 at 8:57 PM
he was a better actor than any of his roles…
Kaptain Amerika on January 14, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Montalban… what an icon. Not sure why you have a picture of Linda Evans there when announcing his death.
lexhamfox on January 14, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Great actor. He was always good on the late night shows too.
Mojave Mark on January 14, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Patrick McGoohan too? Damn. The Prisoner is now truly free.
john1schn on January 14, 2009 at 9:00 PM
Quien es muy macho – Lloyd Bridges o Ricardo Montalban??
Quien es ????
A favorite SNL skit of mine.
The answer, of course, is Ricardo Montalban es muy macho.
RIP Hombre.
DeweyWins on January 14, 2009 at 9:05 PM
I just turned off the documentary “MGM: When the Lion Roared” which originally aired 15 years ago and thought that virtually everyone interviewed was dead except for Ricardo Montalban.
He truly was a class act and I will remember him not only for the above but for his role in one of the greatest war films ever, “Battleground.”
Patrick McGoohan’s passing is also a bit of shock. He had been trying for years to get “The Prisoner” made as a movie. In a way, I’m glad it never made it to the silver screen as it would have ruined arguably one of television’s finest series ever made.
Rest in peace to both these fine performers and great men.
J.J. Sefton on January 14, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Are you suggesting that Kahn was Montalban’s finest moment? You might be more on track suggesting that Archie Bunker was O’Connor’s most memorable role simply because of the depth he gave to the character.
Nevertheless, both were actors. They were also people and had lives outside of the roles they played. I personally think it more appropriate to put up an RIP with the actors name than attaching him to a particular role.
highhopes on January 14, 2009 at 9:14 PM
De Angeles, boss, de Angeles!
- Tattoo
MB4 on January 14, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Agreed, the best villain and the best story in a very entertaining series. Sleep peacefully Khann, you will not be equaled!
dmann on January 14, 2009 at 9:17 PM
:( :( :(
baldilocks on January 14, 2009 at 9:32 PM
The man who made Corinthian Leather a household word, gone. RIP, Ricardo.
Totally! I fell in love with her, even with the pointy ears!
And then she got fat…….
UltimateBob on January 14, 2009 at 9:41 PM
“Nooo, you can’t get awayyy!”
baldilocks on January 14, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Will his casket be lined with fine Corintian leather…?
gridlock2 on January 14, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I once got thrown out of a Star Trek convention for starting a giant Wrath of Khan-ga Line.
MikeZero on January 14, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Surely, I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I deprived your ship of power, and when I swing around, I mean to deprive you of your life.
R.I.P., Senor Montalban.
bryan2369 on January 14, 2009 at 10:38 PM
They just don’t make them like that anymore.
Mutnodjmet on January 14, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I`m sorry, but you must be mistaken. There was no such movie. :)
He is one of the few actors whose passing really weighs on my heart. He was simply an awesome man.
ThePrez on January 14, 2009 at 10:45 PM
RIP Ricardo! You will always be my Mr. Roarke.
RIP Patrick! I didn’t know you as well, but you played one hell of a Longshanks.
God speed to both of you. You’ll be missed.
tickleddragon on January 14, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I remember that the reprise of Khan was his last best comeback and it turned out to be a tour de force rather than just a swan song.
Didn’t Corinthian Leather spawn Rich Madrid Vinyl?
….Look boss the light, the light…..
BL@KBIRD on January 14, 2009 at 11:18 PM
A couple of TV episodes with Ricardo Montalban guest starring:
Hawaii Five-0 episode “Samurai”
Star Trek episode “Space Seed”
Complete episodes with a couple of commercials.
zmdavid on January 14, 2009 at 11:22 PM
“There she is. There she is. Ahhhhh. Not so wounded as we were led to believe…so much the better.”
Definitely the best Trek and one of my favorite movies. Montalban willed be missed.
JimRich on January 14, 2009 at 11:32 PM
*will* be missed.
JimRich on January 14, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Hulu has 18 episodes of Fantasy Island
zmdavid on January 14, 2009 at 11:47 PM
RIP Mr. Montalban. Thanks for entertaining me so many times growing up. I loved him in Star Trek.. awesome!
RobertCSampson on January 15, 2009 at 12:04 AM
One of my top 5 favorite actors, married to the SAME WOMAN for 67 yrs–a devout church going man—-
they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
His acting made any movie better because he was in it.
I hope his casket his lined with rich “Corinthian leather”R.I.P
John The Baptist on January 15, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Probably one of the Greatest Star Trek Sequels that included a continuing story from the TV series.
My you ride to heaven in rich Corinthian leather sir.
God Bless
Kini on January 15, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Good night, sweet prince.
Ryan Gandy on January 15, 2009 at 1:54 AM
The only reason why Shatner was good in Star Trek II (and later Star Trek VI) was because he was directed by Nicholas Meyer. In the director’s commentary of STII, he had mentioned that one scene was take after take after take until finally he got bored and just said the line the way the director wanted.
eaglescout1998 on January 15, 2009 at 5:36 AM
If I may say, adios Mr. Rourke. You are now at the ULTIMATE Fantasy Island!
BobAnthony on January 15, 2009 at 6:00 AM
Best line ever.
johnnyU on January 15, 2009 at 7:48 AM
He will be missed. Interesting to see he was a subscriber to National Review.
aikidoka on January 15, 2009 at 7:59 AM
His posse on the bridge bears a resemblance to Obama’s cabinet.
Hening on January 15, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Senor Senior Junior.
MarkTheGreat on January 15, 2009 at 8:48 AM
I always wondered if they were running out of rich Corinthians.
MarkTheGreat on January 15, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Vaya con Dios, Khan.
Mrs. Happy Housewife on January 15, 2009 at 8:54 AM
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