Ricardo Montalban - Actor Profile

Ricardo Montalban

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
7.6 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 25, 1920
Birth Place: Mexico City, Mexico

About Ricardo Montalban

Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino (November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009) was a Hispanic/Latin American actor. He had a career spanning seven decades (motion pictures from 1943 to 2006) across radio, television, theatre, and film. During the mid-1970s, Montalbán was most notable as the spokesman in automobile advertisements for the Chrysler Cordoba, in which he famously extolled the "soft Corinthian leather" used for its interior. He also advertised the Chrysler New Yorker. From 1977 to 1984, he became famous as Mr. Roarke the main star in the television series Fantasy Island. He played Khan Noonien Singh in both the 1967 episode "Space Seed" of the first season of the original Star Trek series, and the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He won an Emmy Award in 1978 for his role in the mini series How the West Was Won and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 1993. Into his 80s, he continued to perform, often providing voices for animated films and commercials, and appearing in several Spy Kids films as Grandfather Valentin.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ricardo Montalban reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Ricardo Montalban's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 44% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ricardo Montalban remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Reluctant Saint, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Ricardo Montalban Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ricardo Montalban's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ricardo Montalban.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2009 Perdida - Hit Similar →
2006 The Ant Bully Head of Council (voice) Average Similar →
2002 Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams Grandfather Average Similar →
1998 Behind the Planet of the Apes Self Hit Similar →
1997 Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line Self Super Hit Similar →
1994 That's Entertainment! III (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1991 Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special Self Average Similar →
1988 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! Vincent Ludwig Hit Similar →
1984 Fatima Himself Average Similar →
1983 All-Star Party for Frank Sinatra Self Average Similar →
1982 Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Khan Noonien Singh Super Hit Similar →
1977 Captains Courageous Manuel Hit Similar →
1977 Fantasy Island Mr. Roarke Hit Similar →
1976 Joe Panther Turtle George Average Similar →
1974 The Mark of Zorro Captain Esteban Average Similar →
1973 Mustang Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1973 The Train Robbers The Pinkerton Man Average Similar →
1972 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Armando Average Similar →
1971 The Face of Fear Sergeant Frank Ortega Average Similar →
1971 Escape from the Planet of the Apes Armando Average Similar →
1971 Sentinels of Silence - Hit Similar →
1970 The Deserter Natachai Average Similar →
1970 The Aquarians Dr. Luis Delgado Average Similar →
1969 Sweet Charity Vittorio Hit Similar →
1968 Sol Madrid Jalisco Average Similar →
1967 The Longest Hundred Miles Father Sanchez Average Similar →
1966 Alice Through the Looking Glass The White King Average Similar →
1966 The Singing Nun Father Clementi Average Similar →
1966 Madame X Phil Benton Average Similar →
1964 The Fantasticks El Gallo Average Similar →
1964 Cheyenne Autumn Little Wolf Hit Similar →
1962 The Reluctant Saint Don Raspi Super Hit Similar →
1960 Play of the Week: Rashomon Bandit Tasmoro Hit Similar →
1960 Let No Man Write My Epitaph Louie Ramponi Average Similar →
1957 Sayonara Nakamura Hit Similar →
1955 A Life in the Balance Antonio Gómez Average Similar →
1954 Untouched Federico Vascon Hit Similar →
1952 My Man and I Chu Chu Ramirez Hit Similar →
1951 Across the Wide Missouri Ironshirt Average Similar →
1950 Two Weeks with Love Demi Armendez Average Similar →
1950 Right Cross Johnny Monterez Hit Similar →
1950 Mystery Street Peter Moralas Hit Similar →
1949 Battleground Roderigues Hit Similar →
1949 Border Incident Pablo Rodriguez Hit Similar →
1949 Neptune's Daughter Jose O'Rourke Average Similar →
1948 On an Island with You Ricardo Montalban Average Similar →
1947 Fantasía ranchera - Average Similar →
1945 Cadetes de la naval - Average Similar →
1943 Santa Jarameño Average Similar →
1942 The Three Musketeers (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →

Ricardo Montalban - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ricardo Montalban?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ricardo Montalban is "The Reluctant Saint" with a rating of 7.6/10.

How many movies has Ricardo Montalban acted in?

Ricardo Montalban has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ricardo Montalban?

Other notable films include "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan", "Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line", and "The Three Musketeers".