Ricardo Montalban

Actor

Born: 25 November 1920
Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico
Best known as: Khan from Star Trek
Among television viewers, Ricardo Montalban is remembered as Mr. Roarke, the mysterious host of Fantasy Island (1978-1984), and as a pitchman for the "rich Corinthian leather" of the luxury Chrysler Cordoba. Montalban was one of a handful of Latin leading men who broke into Hollywood movies in the 1950s and 1960s, though he was often cast as an Arab, a Native American or in other ethnic roles. Montalban also played creepy superdude Khan, Captain Kirk's nemesis in a famous episode of TV's Star Trek and in a 1982 movie, The Wrath of Khan. Early in the 2000s he played Grandfather in the Spy Kids film series.
Extra credit: Hollywood legend Loretta Young is Montalban's sister-in-law... Montalban founded Nosotros, an organization promoting Latino involvement and image in the film industry; Nosotros also was the name of a 1945 film starring Montalban.

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