Ricardo Montalban Dead At 88 280
DesScorp writes "Ricardo Montalban, immortalized as Khan in the Star Trek franchise, is dead at age 88, passing at his Los Angeles home. Montalban had a long and successful career on television and film. The voice of Rich Corinthian Leather is silenced, but we still have the memories."
Probably the most significant Latino in Star Trek (Score:5, Interesting)
I remember, when The Wrath of Kahn came out, watching an interview with Mr. Montalban. He talked about how his success as an actor (he also had the very famous role as Mr. Roarke in Fantasy Island) made his role one of the first really successful Latino roles in Hollywood (There was also, before him, Desi Arnaz in I Love Lucy, whose success resulted in Desilu Productions who later on produced Star Trek). Of course, with such beautiful Latinas as Jessica Alba, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Lopez on the silver screen today, nobody thinks twice about a Latino having a title role, but it wasn't always that way.
Just some Wrath of Khan trivia (Score:5, Interesting)
(from wiki)
Kirk and Khan never confront each other face-to-face during the film; all of their interactions are over a viewscreen or through communicators, and the their scenes were filmed four months apart.
Montalban enjoyed making the film, and counted the role as a career highlight. His major complaint was that he was never face-to-face with Shatner for a scene. "I had to do my lines with the script girl, who, as you might imagine, sounded nothing like Bill [Shatner]," he explained.
Re:Obligatory. (Score:4, Interesting)
And the voice of a wizard in my kids' Dora the Explorer DVD's.
Re:Montalban! (Score:5, Interesting)
Warp 11 is a real Trek parody band that has been around for many years, so yes, that's a real song you can buy. They're based out of my current city of residence, Sacramento, California.
Craziness! (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Obligatory. (Score:1, Interesting)
Here's a link for the uninitiated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-je6hkGoL0 [youtube.com]
Re:Mmm, copypasta. (Score:5, Interesting)
Was wondering about that. That post was just out of nowhere. I remember infomercials where Montalban was extolling the virtues of some jewelry (cross) with a grain of sand from some place in the holy lands.
I too had always heard he was a devoutly, and humble, religious man. At least the Pope thought so as he was giving him the highest honor a non clergyman could get, the Knight Commander of St. Gregory.
That's what I appreciated about him. Deeply religious without a shred of Holier Than Thou Art(tm) crap. Walked the walk, but did not talk the talk. A rare gentleman with integrity, class, and a lot of charm.
The world did lose something special today. RIP.
Re:Also... (Score:3, Interesting)
What? Not relevant to geek culture??! You're forgetting The Prisoner, which made Patrick McGoohan the patron saint of tinfoil hats.