Ricardo Montalban: 'Fantasy Island' star

Nov. 25, 1920-Jan. 14, 2009

Ricardo Montalban has been a hero of mine since I was a child, when I witnessed his striking presence in movies (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) and TV (Fantasy Island). When I first started in the business, Ricardo went out of his way to support my work and taught me that there are two purposes to what we do: the integrity of the work itself and the doors that one could open for others, not just Latinos. He blazed a path that was truly his own, fighting to break down stereotypes, and taught a generation that anything was possible. It was an honor to direct him in my Spy Kids movies, and a greater honor to be his friend.

Montalban died of congestive heart failure in L.A.