Ricardo Montalban Dies

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Ricardo Montalban, who gained fame portraying Mr. Roarke on the television series "Fantasy Island," has died at the age of 88. 

The Mexican-born actor died at his home in Los Angeles, the Associated Press quotes L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti as saying. Montalban lived in Garcetti's district in L.A.

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in 'Fiesta,' and also starred with the actress in 'On an Island with You' and 'Neptune's Daughter.'

Beginning in 1978, Montalban played the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over an island resort where visitors were able to fulfill their lifelong dreams. "Fantasy Island" received high ratings for most of its six-year run on ABC and still appears in reruns.

And in 1982, Montalban revisited his "Star Trek" character Khan Noonien Singh for the big-screen 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,' creating one of the franchise's most memorable villains and helping to elevate the film into arguably the best of the series.