1976 Chrysler Cordoba

The man who sold us  “Corinthian Leather” even though it didn’t exist and inspired the great  “KHAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!” has passed away.

Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán Merino, better known as actor Ricardo Montalban, died Wednesday morning at his Los Angeles home of complications related to old age, said his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith.

The veteran actor appeared in movies and cinema for almost 70 years.  He also owns one of the most impressive bios you’ll ever see on IMDB.

“Within the entertainment industry, Montalban was widely respected for his efforts to create opportunities for Latinos, although he and others believed that his activism hurt his career. In 1970, he founded the nonprofit Nosotros Foundation to improve the image and increase employment of Latinos in Hollywood.

“He paved the way for being outspoken about the images and roles that Latinos were playing in movies,” said Luis Reyes, co-author of “Hispanics in Hollywood” (2000).

On Wednesday, actor Edward James Olmos called Montalban “one of the true giants of arts and culture.”

“He was a stellar artist and a consummate person and performer with a tremendous understanding of culture . . . and the ability to express it in his work,” Olmos told The Times.

Montalban was already a star of Mexican movies in the 1940s when MGM cast him as a bullfighter opposite Esther Williams in “Fiesta” and put him under contract. He would go on to appear alongside such movie greats as Clark Gable and Lana Turner.”

1975 Chrysler Cordoba

When Edward James Olmos says you’re an influence, that’s impressive!

Khan

Montalban was known to our generation for the televison seriesFANTASY ISLAND and his Chrysler commercials touting the fine, Corinthian leather that made the cars so pimp.  There’s actually no such thing as Corinthian leather.  It was made up but that didn’t stop everyone from wanting it in their car.

But we’re not gonna lie to you.  We love him most for his role as the foe of Captain Kirk in STAR TREK.  Montalban appeared twice as the rough and tumble Khan whose single purpose in life seemed to be to piss of Kirk.  Once in the original series and again in the great STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN.

Montalban was an icon who helped pioneer Latino actors in Hollywood after working hard to promote their identity in movies.  He once tried out for a part of a Mexican, only to lose out to American actor John Garfield so you can see why the suits in H’wood pissed him off.

Farewell, Ricardo! Thanks for the memories and for all those that loved him we give you this. Enjoy!

• Ricardo Montalban, TV Star and Chrysler Pitchman, Dies at 88
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• Ricardo Montalban Has Died
• Photos: Ricardo Montalban (1920-2009)
• Kirk’s Khan nemesis beams up at 88