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| Thursday, January 22, 2009 |
| Fantasy Island |
A very special man died last week at the age of 88. This talented, handsome, and charismatic actors’ career spanned 60 years of Hollywood films, Broadway musicals, T.V. blockbusters, and commercials. He starred in and acted with many of Americas most iconic legends at a time when actors with accents weren’t cast as leading men. His work ethic, talent, and sense of humor earned him respect and a career that flourished long past his ability to portray the role he was typecast and specialized in. “With his dark good looks and his Spanish accent he specialized in Latin-lover roles, perfecting if not defining the stereotype…in a career that spanned decades, media and genre.”
My mother would love to tell you that he was handsome and elegant, a STAR who made every woman in America slightly more jealous of his beautiful leading ladies at MGM studios from1947-1953, where he was known as “a contract player.” After leaving MGM, he was cast often, and convincingly, as Mexican, American Indian, ancient Babylonian, Japanese, African American, and Jamaican, earning a Tony nomination in 1957 for best actor in the musical “Jamaica” opposite Lena Horne.
His career earned him devoted fans in succeeding generations. Depending upon their age and viewing interests, a grandmother in her mid 70’s, part of the ‘Greatest Generation’ might have fallen under his spell early in his career when he was the handsome actor “who could telegraph his intent with intelligence and humor.” Later opportunities for fans to admire his work continued “throughout the1950’s and 60’s when he worked constantly, mostly in television, including performances on his sister-in-law’s series, “the Loretta Young Show.”
My ‘boomer generation’, now in their mid 50’s, fell in love with his courtly manners, ability to remain elegant, sophisticated, and well-groomed on a steamy tropical island, starring with an unlikely side-kick who might have made another actor look foolish and overdressed. We were jealous of every guest he greeted from 1978-1984, when he starred as “the sleek and suavely welcoming dream facilitator” on “Fantasy Island, assisted by an irrepressibly spirited dwarf named Tatoo. They became one of television’s most legendary odd couples,” and inspired a new generation of loyal viewers.
“In 1967, during the first season of ‘Star Trek’, he was a guest star as Noonien Singh, a tyrannical superhuman villain; he reprised the role in the 1982 “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” earning rave reviews from Generation X, and new fans who came to appreciate him in roles he filmed before their birth! Some Generation Y fans, like my son, in his late 20’s, became a 3rd generation admirer of this actor’s re-runs as well as new roles in “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad,” in 1988, which appealed to lovers of farce, nonsense, and laughter of every age, reuniting an older generation of fans with an actor whose repertoire kept expanding.. A 4th generation of fans, known as Generation Z, like my nieces and nephews, who do not want to be called ‘single-digits’ or ‘pre-teens’, fell in love with this Abuelo when he appeared as the grandfather in Spy Kids 2 and Spy Kids 3 movies in 2002 and 2003.
His versatile talent, sense of humor, and desire to perform allowed him to age gracefully, and he continued performing in commercials and movies for fans who are the grandchildren of his original audience.
Ricardo Montalban’s most meaningful legacy as father, husband, actor, and citizen was overcoming prejudice with hard work, dignity and talent. His ability to practice his craft and provide a positive example for his family and fellow immigrants was a role he embraced.
Most of his audience never realized the actor fought prejudice and found the stereotyping in many of the roles he played a call to action. “In 1971, troubled by the way he was asked to portray Mexicans, and by the lack of opportunities for other Latino actors he helped to found Nosotros, an advocacy group for Latinos working in the movie and television industry.” He was also honored by The National Council of La Raza for his contributions to his community, and his desire to “bring dignity and pride” to all people of Hispanic descent.
“Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will dedicate the entire daytime lineup for Friday, January 23, 2009 to pay tribute to Montalban.”
Tune in Friday, watch a man whose career began typecast as an exotic “Latin Lover,” and evolved, as did the American viewer, appreciating a great actor who blended into our times, our homes and our hearts.
- Nancy
Labels: food for thought, Nancy
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posted by My Sensei @ Thursday, January 22, 2009   |
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