Ricardo Montalbán

Ricardo Montalbán (1920–2009) was a Mexican-American actor whose career spanned Hollywood films and television, including Fantasy Island, Planet of the Apes, and Star Trek.

Khan Noonien Singh: A genetically engineered dictator portrayed by Montalbán in Star Trek stories. Montalbán’s performance made Khan the central adversary of Star Trek II.
Mexico City: The capital and largest city of Mexico. Montalbán was born there in 1920 and began acting in Mexican films.
Esther Williams: An American actress and competitive swimmer who starred in MGM aquatic musicals. She appeared with Montalbán in the 1947 musical Fiesta, one of his early American films.
NCLR ALMA Awards: An awards program honoring Latino achievements in American film, television, and music. Montalbán helped establish the awards to recognize Latino contributions to entertainment.
Mr. Roarke: The enigmatic host of Fantasy Island, portrayed by Montalbán in the television series. The role made Montalbán a familiar presence in American television.
Mexican cinema: The film industry and body of motion pictures produced in Mexico. Montalbán gained early screen experience in Mexican-language films before moving to Hollywood.
Gene Roddenberry: An American television producer and screenwriter who created Star Trek. Roddenberry’s series introduced Khan, the role Montalbán later reprised in a feature film.
National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts: A nonprofit organization that promotes Latino representation and opportunity in American arts and media. Montalbán co-founded the organization to advance Hispanic participation in entertainment.
Armando (Planet of the Apes): A circus owner who helps intelligent apes escape persecution in two Planet of the Apes films. Montalbán played Armando in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
Hollywood studio system: The vertically integrated system through which major American studios produced, distributed, and exhibited films. Montalbán entered Hollywood under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1940s.

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Hervé VillechaizeRelated: Montalbán’s Mr. Roarke shared the island’s stories with Villechaize’s Tattoo.