Prior to 1982 had you asked me to make a list of Star Trek villains I probably would have started with Harry Mudd, and then went on to Bele, Kor, Kang, Balok, and eventually the name Khan would have appeared. But in that glorious Summer, my first as a high school graduate, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan premiered and changed everything. From that day forth when you say Star Trek villain, the first name that comes to mind, screamed at the roof of an imaginary cave, is KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ricardo Montalban died today at the age of 88. He was known across the genres as a movie star, TV star, car sales spokesman(who among us over the age of 30 can't quote, in a shameful parody of that marvelous accent, "rich CorINthian leather"?) He was Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, a benevolent/sinister granter of wishes, and from all that I've read he was a gentleman and a truly nice guy. What many people don't know about him was that in the early 50s he was thrown from a horse while filming a movie, and then got stepped on by another horse. The resulting back injury left him in constant pain for the rest of his life, yet you would never know it to watch him.
I can't say it's a tragedy when an 88 year old man dies, but it is very sad. But at least, for whatever it is worth, he is no longer in pain.
Adios, amigo. You will not be forgotten.
Marius
4 comments:
I haven't heard that he had passed away. Wow!
He was a great actor - being able to play both sides of the coin. And I agree that he set the standard for the Star Trek villain.
He also had some minor roles on one or two of the cartoons as well. His voice is unmistakeable.
Once more, our world is a bit dimished from his passing.
I didn't know... I liked him, even if I always thought he seemed a little strange or maybe speacial... I particularly liked him in Hawaii-5-0 when he would play a Japanese man with the make up jobs from those days... Bu Khan had to be his most memorable role.
He will be missed.
As you said Rick, at 88 he had a good run, but it is still sad. I didn't realize that he is older than my Dad who will be 86 in June.
I say Episode 4 of Starbase66 - A salute to Ricardo Montalban!
I was so very sad to hear this news this morning. He is the only star that visited Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre that made me blush & giggle like a little girl. He was only there to see a show, but I couldn't even go over & say hello to him, I was so tongue tied. I have loved him since seeing him in Neptunes Daughter with Esther Williams ("Baby It's Cold Outside"). I think he was the epitome of the latin lover for me.
Farwell Ricardo, we'll miss you.
Post a Comment