'Fantasy Island' star Ricardo Montalban dies at 88

washington post ^ | Wednesday, January 14, 2009; 4:23 PM

[Perdogg]

LOS ANGELES -- Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, a city councilman said. He was 88. Montalban's death was announced at a meeting of the city council by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.

[GOPJ]

He was a devout Roman Catholic, married for more than 1/2 a century to Loretta Young's sister. He and the Young sisters were very active in the Church and all were outstanding role models in real life (villainous parts notwithstanding). He's home now and reunited with his beloved.

It's hard to believe Hollywood allowed him in the club - but we can be thankful they did... Prayers for his loved ones.

[Deaf Smith]

He went back to that High Chaparal in the sky.

[Reagan Man]

RIP Ricardo Montalban

[battlecry]

True enough. In the early eighties I used to see him at the Catholic church in West Hollywood.

[RandyGH]

RICH Corinthian leather!

[RangerM]

I couldn’t remember if he said “real” or “rich” corinthian leather.

I’m just old enough to remember those times. I could lay completely stretched out in the back seat of cars in those days. Fond memories.

[Ramius]

All this time I thought the line was “...fine Corinthian leather...” when in fact it was “soft Corinthian leather”.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Ricardo was the sort of legal immigrant that we would always welcome.

[Billthedrill]

I looked it up. "Corinthian" leather was mass-produced in Newark, New Jersey. "Leathuh? I gotcher Joisey leathuh, pal, right heah!" Just doesn't have the same rhythm to it...

RIP Ricardo.

[TBP]

He was greeted by the late Herve Villechaise saying, “Ze plane, Boss, ze plane.”

[daler]

Someone (can't remember who...original SNL crew, maybe?) did a spoof on that commercial back in the '70s that I still remember.

It concluded with a Montalban sound-alike, stating profoundly, "Chrysler Cordoba...for the man who knows who I am..."

[agooga]

Oh, HELL.

Rest in peace, sir. You were indescribably awesome.

[celtic gal]

Don't forget those car ads where he described the “ Corinthian Leather seats..

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP. One of the best.

[celtic gal]

Thanks for the memory...

[celtic gal]

I had read someplace...maybe the Sunday insert Parade...where Ricardo suffered from MS.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

My mistake.. It was *rich*! Fond memories indeed. :)

[fieldmarshaldj]

I just happened to rent that DVD from the library last week. Good movie.

[Peanut Gallery]

ping

[Rightly Biased]

you need to read on.... down the thread