Ricardo Montalban Dies at His Los Angeles Home

Zap2It.com | January 14, 2009

Ricardo Montalban

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Actor's death announced at a city council meeting

LOS ANGELES -- Ricardo Montalban, a MGM movie star of the 40s and 50s who went on play the mysterious Mr. Roarke on ABC's "Fantasy Island" from 1978-84 died Wednesday morning at Los Angeles home. He was 88.

His demise was made public at a city council meeting. President Eric Garcetti represents Montalban's district and released a statement that "The Ricardo Montalban Theatre in my Council District -- where the next generations of performers participate in plays, musicals, and concerts -- stands as a fitting tribute to this consummate performer."

Montalban was born in Mexico and became a movie star in his birth country, before MGM brought him to the United Sates in 1946. He went on to star in several Esther Williams movies, including "Fiesta," "On an Island With You" and "Neptune's Daughter."