里卡多·蒙特尔班Ricardo Montalban

天使奖学生电影节2002 Spirit of Angelus Award (获奖) NCLR布拉沃奖1995 Lifetime Achievement Award (获奖) 演员工会奖1994 Life Achievement Award (获奖) 金靴奖1985 Golden Boot (获奖) 黄金时间艾美奖1978 Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series《How the West Was Won》 (获奖)

Handsome Ricardo Montalban was the epitome of Latin elegance, charm and grace on film and television and in the late 1940s and early 1950s reinvigorated the 鲁道夫·瓦伦蒂诺 / 拉蒙·诺瓦罗 "Latin Lover" style in Hollywood without achieving top screen stardom. Moreover, unlike most minority actors of his time, he fought to upscale the Latin (particularly, Mexican) image in Hollywood. His noted militancy may have cost him a number of roles along the way, but he gained respect and a solid reputation as a mover and shaker within the acting community while providing wider-range opportunities for Spanish-speaking actors via Los Angeles theater.

He was born in Mexico City on November 25, 1920, the youngest of four children to Castilian Spanish immigrants, Ricarda Merino and Jenaro Montalbán. His father was a dry goods store owner. Montalbán moved to Los Angeles as a teen and lived with his much older brother 卡洛斯·蒙塔尔万, who was then pursuing show business as both an actor and dancer. Ricardo attended Fairfax High School in Hollywood and was noticed in a student play but passed on a screen test that was offered. Instead, he traveled with his brother to New York, where he earned a bit part in the 塔卢拉赫·班克黑德 stage vehicle "Her Cardboard Lover" in 1940, and won subsequent roles in the plays "Our Betters" and "Private Affair".

Returning to Mexico to care for his extremely ill mother, his dark good looks and magnetic style helped propel him into the Spanish-language film industry. After nearly a dozen or so films, he was on the verge of stardom in Mexico when MGM took an interest in him and he relocated back to Los Angeles. Making his Hollywood leading debut as a robust bullfighter and twin brother of MGM star 埃丝特·威廉斯 in the "B"-level musical Fiesta (1947), he attracted immediate attention. His second film with Williams, 出水红莲 (1948), led to a contract with the studio, where he routinely ignited "Latin Lover" sparks opposite such prime female stars as 赛德·查里斯, 谢利·温特斯, Anne Bancroft, 皮耶尔·安杰利, 拉雷恩·黛 and (once again) Esther Williams, this time in 洛水神仙 (1949) (one of his MGM extravaganzas opposite gorgeous 拉娜·特纳 was actually called 拉丁情人 (1953)). His strongest Hispanic competition in films at the time was Argentine-born fellow MGM player Fernando Lamas, who wound up eventually marrying 埃丝特·威廉斯 after divorcing another MGM beauty, 阿琳·达尔.

Although Montalban was the epitome of the "Latin lover" type, it actually damaged his cinematic career, pigeonholing him and hurting his momentum. He was seldom able to extricate himself from the usual portrayals of gringos, bandidos and gigolos, although he did manage to find an interesting film from time to time, such as his turn as a Mexican undercover cop in the gritty 边城喋血记 (1949), 神探警车 (1950), the classic war film 战场 (1949) and the hard-edged boxing drama 铁臂金刚 (1950). Occasionally, he was handed ethnic roles outside the Latino realm, such as his villainous Blackfoot Indian chief in Across the Wide Missouri (1951) starring 克拉克·盖博, his heroic, bare-chested rebel warrior in the steamy Italian sword-and-sandals costumer 巴比伦王后 (1954) alongside 朗达·弗莱明 and his Japanese Kabuki actor in the Oscar-winning feature 樱花恋 (1957). It was during the filming of Across the Wide Missouri (1951) that he suffered a serious injury to his spine after he slipped and fell off a running horse, which resulted in a permanent limp.

Well established by this time, Montalban returned to the stage in 1954 with varied roles in such fare as "Can-Can", "The Inspector General", "South Pacific" and "Accent on Youth", before making his 1955 Broadway debut as Chico in the original musical "Seventh Heaven" with 格洛丽亚·德黑文, Kurt Kasznar and 碧·亚瑟. He then earned a Tony nomination as the only non-African-American actor in the tropical-themed musical "Jamaica" (1957) co-starring 莱娜·霍恩. He also toured as the title role in "Don Juan in Hell" in the 1960s, returning to Broadway with it in 1973 with 阿格妮丝·摩尔海德, Paul Henreid and Edward Mulhare, and touring once again with the show in 1991.

His strong work ethic and reservoir of talent enabled him to continue on television long after his exotic beefcake status in films had waned. He had married Loretta Young's half-sister Georgiana Young in 1944, and appeared on his sister-in-law's television series (The New Loretta Young Show (1962)) several times. He also showed up in a number of television dramatic anthologies (Playhouse 90 (1956) and Colgate Theatre (1958)) and made guest appearances on the popular series of the day, such as Death Valley Days (1952), Bonanza (1959), Burke's Law (1963), Dr. Kildare (1961), 辩护律师 (1961) and, more notably, a 1967 Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) episode in which he memorably portrayed galaxy arch-villain Khan Noonien Singh. He resurrected this character memorably in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).

Over the years, he continued to appear occasionally on the big screen, typically playing continental smoothies, in such films as 试情记 (1963), Madame X (1966) and 生命的旋律 (1969), but it was television that finally made him a household name. Montalban captivated audiences as the urbane, white-suited concierge of mystery Mr. Roarke in the 艾伦·斯班林 series Fantasy Island (1977). He stayed with the series for six seasons, buoyed by his popular "odd couple" teaming with the late 赫夫·维勒查泽, who played Mr. Roarke's diminutive sidekick, and fellow greeter, Tattoo. While it may have seemed a somewhat lightweight and undemanding role for the talented Montalban, it nevertheless became his signature character. The series faltered after Villechaize, who had become erratic and difficult on the set, was fired from the series in 1983. Corpulent Britisher Christopher Hewett, as Lawrence, replaced the Tattoo character but to little avail and the series was canceled one season later. The troubled Villechaize committed suicide in 1993.

An Emmy winner for his role in the miniseries How the West Was Won (1976) and a noteworthy villain in the Dynasty (1981) spin-off soap series The Colbys (1985), Montalban was also famous for a series of television commercials in which he returned somewhat to his "Latin lover" persona, primarily in a series of slick commercials for Chrysler's Cordoba automobile, pitching the elegant auto with its "rich, Corinthian leather" (it later came to light that this phrase had been conjured up as a marketing tool, and that there was no such product from Corinth or anywhere else!). As for film and television work in his later years, he good-naturedly spoofed his Hollywood image in a number of featured parts, including a hilarious send-up of himself in 白头神探 (1988). Two of his final, larger-scaled film roles were as the grandfather in the two "Spy Kids" sequels: 非常小特务2 (2002) and 非常小特务3 (2003). His deep, soothing, confident tones could also be heard in animated features and television series.

Frustrated at Hollywood's portrayal of Mexicans, he helped to found, and gave great support, attention and distinction to, the image-building "Nosotros" organization, a Los Angeles theatre-based company designed for Latinos working in the industry. Nosotros and the Montalban foundation eventually bought the historic Doolittle Theater in Hollywood and renamed the theatre in his honor in 2004. It became the first major theater facility (1200 seats) in the United States to carry the name of a Latino performing artist. In 1980 he, along with Bob Thomas, published his memoir, entitled "Reflections: A Life in Two Worlds".

A class act who was beloved in the industry for his gentle and caring nature, the long-term effects of his spinal injury eventually confined him to a wheelchair in his later years. He died in his Los Angeles home of complications from old age on January 14, 2009 at age 88. His wife having died in 2007, he was survived by their two daughters and two sons: Laura, Anita, Victor and Mark.

Wife Georgiana Young's sister was actress Loretta Young.

Attended and graduated from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California.

Had three siblings: Carmen Montalban, Pedro Montalban and 卡洛斯·蒙塔尔万.

For years, he was a commercial spokesperson for Chrysler Corporation automobiles.

Half-brother-in-law of Polly Ann Young, 萨利·布兰 and Loretta Young, half-uncle of 朱迪·路易斯 and Christopher Lewis.

He was a member of the Good Shepherd Parish and the Catholic Motion Picture Guild in Beverly Hills, California.

Was nominated for Broadway's 1958 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Jamaica".

Is one of two very famous "Star Trek" movie villains to reprise his/her role. He played Khan Noonien Singh in both the television series episode Star Trek: The Original Series: Space Seed (1967) and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).

Had appeared in episodes of three different series with 马德琳·鲁: Bonanza (1959), Star Trek: The Original Series (1966) and Fantasy Island (1977). They played husband and wife in the first two of these series.

In 1970, he founded the non-profit organization "Nosotros" whose goal is "to help fulfill the goals of persons of Spanish-speaking origin in the motion picture and television industry".

In 1999, he purchased an old Hollywood theater designed by the well-known architect John C. Austin which was built in 1927: "...conceiving a plan to rebuild this theater to benefit the diverse community and to build a state-of-the-art school to compliment this live theater".

Had played a Japanese gangster in the television series episode Hawaii Five-O: Samurai (1968). The eye makeup was so binding that Montalban could not blink. As a result, the continuous shots of Montalban are always short. The effect is a little jarring. Most people blink when they move their head to readjust their eyes. Montalban never does when moving his head on camera.

Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island (1977).

Had four children with Georgiana Young. Sons: Victor Montalban (born April 18, 1952) and Mark Montalban (March 13, 1947). Daughters: Laura Montalban, clothing designer (August 12, 1945 - November 17, 2017) and Anita Montalban (March 21, 1949).

His friendly "Latin Lover" rivalry with fellow Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star Fernando Lamas prodded a memorable Saturday Night Live (1975) sketch in later years with 比尔·默瑞 titled "Quien es mas macho, Fernando Lamas o Ricardo Montalban?".

Made 13 Spanish-language films in Mexico before his American debut in Fiesta (1947).

Montalban's dignified demeanor and rich Spanish accent added flair to the small screen on a number of television series. This also established him as a popular pitchman for Maxwell House Coffee and Chrysler Corporation.

Replaced his friendly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer rival Fernando Lamas in the musical comedy 拉丁情人 (1953) opposite 拉娜·特纳 whose at-that-time, real-life affair with Lamas had reached a tempestuous conclusion.

Had appeared with 赛德·查里斯 in six films: Fiesta (1947), 出水红莲 (1948), 强盗之吻 (1948), The Mark of the Renegade (1951), Sombrero (1953) and 妙狗拯救好莱坞 (1976).

Had played two villains who have a device that induces characters to accept commands to kill someone: Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), and Vincent Ludwig in 白头神探 (1988).

Along with 查尔顿·赫斯顿, 罗迪·麦克道尔, 金·亨特, 莫里斯·埃文斯, 琳达·哈里逊, 约翰·兰道夫, 纳塔丽·特伦黛 and 赛文·达尔登, he is one of only nine actors to play the same character in more than one film in the original "Planet of the Apes" series. He played Armando in both Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972).

Agreed to reprise his role of Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) for only $100,000 because he loved the role so much. He also watched the original series episode "Space Seed" to recall Khan, worried that he would sound like Mr. Roarke.

Montalban's personal favorite role was as Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). "New Yorker" critic 宝琳·凯尔 said Montalban's performance as Khan "was the only validation he has ever had of his power to command the big screen".

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

In 1986, he recorded a public service announcement celebrating America's generosity and hospitality to him as a foreign-born actor, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

In 1993, he had a 9 1/2 hour surgical operation on his spine to repair an old back injury he received while filming Across the Wide Missouri (1951). He had been in constant pain ever since and confined to a wheelchair as a paraplegic.

He was awarded Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by 圣若望·保禄二世 in 1998; the highest honor bestowed upon a layperson in the Roman Catholic Church.

Following his death, he was interred with his wife Georgiana Young at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Rich smooth voice

Often played the Latin Lover in romance musicals

Often played Native Americans in westerns