Trivia

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

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

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).

Wife Georgiana Young's sister was actress Loretta Young.

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".

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

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

Had three siblings: Carmen Montalban, Pedro Montalban and Carlos Montalbán.

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".

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

Had played a Japanese gangster in the series episode 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.

Half-brother-in-law of Polly Ann Young, Sally Blane and Loretta Young, half-uncle of Judy Lewis and Christopher Lewis.

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

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 spokesperson for Maxwell House Coffee and Chrysler Corporation automobiles.

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

Starred as the title role in the Soundies production "He's a Latin from Staten Island" (1941).

Replaced his friendly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer rival Fernando Lamas in the musical comedy Latin Lovers (1953) opposite Lana Turner, whose at-that-time, real-life affair with Lamas has reached a stormy end. Both Montalban and Turner later appeared together in the drama film Madame X (1966).

Had appeared with Esther Williams in three films: Fiesta (1947), On an Island with You (1948) and Neptune's Daughter (1949); and Yvonne De Carlo in three films: Sombrero (1953), The Mark of Zorro (1974) and Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976).

Had appeared with Cyd Charisse in six films: Fiesta (1947), On an Island with You (1948), The Kissing Bandit (1948), Mark of the Renegade (1951), Sombrero (1953) and Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976).

Had appeared with Madlyn Rhue in episodes of three dissimilar television series: Bonanza (1959), Star Trek (1966) and Fantasy Island (1977). Both Montalban and Rhue played husband and wife in the first two of these series.

Had played two villains who have a device that induces characters to accept commands to gun down someone: Khan Noonien Singh in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), and Vincent Ludwig in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988).

Along with Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, Linda Harrison, John Randolph, Natalie Trundy and Severn Darden, 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).

Had agreed to reprise his role as 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). "The New Yorker" critic Pauline Kael said Montalban's performance as Khan "was the only validation he has ever had of its 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.

For many years, he followed a strict diet and physical training regimen, giving him an enviable physique. After the release of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), director Nicholas Meyer was quick to silence any rumors of Montalban using prosthetics to appear more muscular during filming.

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

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

Montalban was a practicing Roman Catholic, once claiming that his religion was the most important thing in his life. He was a member of the Good Shepherd Parish and the Catholic Motion Picture Guild in Beverly Hills, California.

Posthumously awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Humane Letters) from the University of New Mexico (UNM), which was received by his granddaughter Lydia Martinez on 5/13/23.

He was awarded Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1998; the highest honor bestowed upon a layperson in the Roman Catholic Church.

Following his death, Montalban was interred with his wife Georgiana Young at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. He never retired from acting until his death.