Ricardo Montalbán Dies in Los Angeles at 88

Ricardo Montalbán appeared in a wide variety of movies including The Naked Gun as well as two films from both the Planet of the Apes and Spy Kids series.

Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán Merino Courtesy: celebritynooz.com

(LOS ANGELES) - Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán Merino, better known simply as "Ricardo Montalbán", died today, January 14th 2009, in Los Angeles. He was 88 years old.

His cause of death has not been confirmed, he has reportedly been confined to a wheelchair in recent years, suffering near constant pain from a congenital condition that affected his spine.

Ricardo Montalbán, born November 25th 1920, was a well known Mexican television, theatre, and film actor. His career spanned decades and he will always be known for his role as Mr. Rourke on the television "Fantasy Island" which he played from 1978 until 1984.

The series was so popular that for a while, it was one of nation's top rated programs on television. His character, as well as that of his sidekick, Tattoo (played by Hervé Villechaize), became pop icons.

He will also be remembered for the Chrysler Cordoba commercials of the late 1970's.

Ricardo Montalbán appeared in a wide variety of movies including The Naked Gun as well as two films from both the Planet of the Apes and Spy Kids series.

He also appeared in several musicals, such as 1966's The Singing Nun which also starred Debbie Reynolds.

Here is the Wikipedia page on Ricardo Montalbán.