RIP: Ricardo Montalban, 88

[azumanga]

It looks like a two-for-one sale for celebrity deaths today -- also died today is Ricardo Montalban, known for his role as Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island", and the Chrysler LeBaron commercials (extolling the "rich Corinthian leather" seats). More here:

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_01_14.html

 

[LKellerIII]

It looks like a two-for-one sale for celebrity deaths today -- also died today is Ricardo Montalban, known for his role as Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island", and the Chrysler LeBaron commercials (extolling the "rich Corinthian leather" seats). More here:

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_01_14.html

Chrysler Cordoba, actually. A ridiculous car - a huge boat actually billed as the "small Chrysler" in that era of huge land yachts.

One thing is clear, Ricardo delivered a very effective commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZp7uekTd20

Montalban, from all I've read -was a really good guy - "old world" in the best sense of the term. Another obit with additional information:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/14/entertainment/e130845S34.DTL&tsp=1

 

[bpatrick]

On another board is a tribute to television's greatest
pitchmen, and none of us has seen fit to include Montalban,
who should be there.

I think his absence (among other things) is why I tuned out
ABC's short-lived 1998 revival of "Fantasy Island"; besides,
I never thought Malcolm McDowell's Mr. Roarke wanted the
people's fantasies to turn out well.

 

[donnyg]

It looks like a two-for-one sale for celebrity deaths today -- also died today is Ricardo Montalban, known for his role as Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island", and the Chrysler LeBaron commercials (extolling the "rich Corinthian leather" seats). More here:

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_01_14.html

Chrysler Cordoba, actually. A ridiculous car - a huge boat actually billed as the "small Chrysler" in that era of huge land yachts.

One thing is clear, Ricardo delivered a very effective commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZp7uekTd20

Montalban, from all I've read -was a really good guy - "old world" in the best sense of the term. Another obit with additional information:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/14/entertainment/e130845S34.DTL&tsp=1

Do you think his casket will be lined in rich corinthian leather

Donny G ;D

 

[kirkiefan]

Aside from "Fantasy Island" Ricardo also hosted the sydnicated "Spanish Movie of The Week" on the old WSNS Channel 44 in Chicago while The Island was having its successful run on ABC.
He was a very devout Catholic and was knighted by Pope John Paul II as a member of the Order of St. Gregory The Great...the highest honor ever bestowed on a Catholic lay person.

It was said by Montalban that his religion "was the most important thing in his life"...something the rest of us should consider now before it is our time to go.

Have a happy eternity up in Heaven Ric...tell my Dad I said Hi!