Mexican film actor
Born: November 25, 1920
Died: January 14, 2009
Ricardo Montalbán (1920–2009) was a celebrated Mexican-American actor known for his charismatic presence and rich voice. Born on November 25, 1920, in Mexico City, he moved to the United States as a teenager and quickly pursued a career in acting. His talent and good looks helped him secure early roles in Hollywood during the 1940s, breaking barriers as one of the few Latino actors in mainstream cinema at the time.
Montalbán gained fame in films like Fiesta (1947) and Battleground (1949), showcasing his versatility. In the 1950s, he starred in MGM musicals opposite prominent stars, further cementing his status as a leading man. His role as the suave Mr. Roarke in the hit television series Fantasy Island (1977–1984) remains iconic, captivating audiences with his enigmatic charm. Additionally, his portrayal of Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) earned critical acclaim and became a cultural touchstone.
Off-screen, Montalbán was an advocate for Latino representation in Hollywood, co-founding the Nosotros Foundation. Known for his dignity and integrity, he received numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award. Ricardo Montalbán passed away on January 14, 2009, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer and beloved actor.
Ricardo Montalban’s 5 most popular quotes
- True love doesn’t happen right away; it’s an ever-growing process. It develops after you’ve gone through many ups and downs, when you’ve suffered together, cried together, laughed together.
- There couldn’t be better parents than mine, loving yet strict. They disciplined with love. A child without discipline is, in away, a lost child. You cannot have freedom without discipline.
- Hollywood does not write parts for people like me, an elderly gentleman, and when they find out you’re crippled, forget about it. No, I’ll never work again.
- And yet I think of Christopher Reeve who said he would pay two million dollars to be able to feel pain again. What a courageous man! So I have to think that pain is a blessing.
- Because we should always respect other nationalities, I have always tried to play them with dignity.
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