LOS ANGELES , California ( CNN ) -- Actor Ricardo Montalban , star of the hit TV series `` Fantasy Island , '' died Wednesday in Los Angeles , a family spokesman said . Ricardo Montalban attends the opening of a theater named for him in 2004 in Hollywood , California . Montalban , 88 , was in deteriorating health over the past several days but `` died peacefully '' at 6:30 a.m. at his home , son-in-law Gilbert Smith said . He understood `` it was his time , '' Smith said . The cause of death was not given . Montalban rose to prominence as one of the most visible Hispanic actors in post-war Hollywood in the 1950s and 1960s . But his star grew as he took on television roles as the mysterious host Mr. Roarke on the hit drama `` Fantasy Island '' and as Captain Kirk 's archnemesis Khan Noonien Singh in `` Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan . '' Born in Mexico City , Mexico , on November 25 , 1920 , Montalban knew at an early age that he wanted to be an actor . He moved to Hollywood as a teenager , and his first big break came when he was cast in a small part in a 1941 play , Tallulah Bankhead 's `` Her Cardboard Lover . '' After starring in 13 Spanish-language films in Mexico , Montalban made his American feature film debut in 1947 in `` Fiesta . '' Montalban became a member of the MGM stable and was often cast in the role of the steamy Latin lover opposite such female stars as Lana Turner and Esther Williams . While working on `` Across the Wide Missouri '' with MGM 's biggest star , Clark Gable , Montalban suffered an injury to his spinal cord that , despite surgery , would plague him for decades to come , according to Turner Classic Movies . It was during this early stage in his career that Montalban dedicated himself to changing Hollywood 's stereotypes of Latinos . `` When I first came to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer under contract in 1945 , that 's when the image was at its worst , '' Montalban said . `` They did n't realize that by trying to be colorful , they were very insulting . '' Montalban played a wide range of film roles over the years , often relishing the chance to play in comedies . As he approached midlife in the 1960s , Montalban made numerous guest appearances on television shows including `` The Untouchables '' and `` The Lieutenant , '' eventually landing a recurring role as Damon West on the popular medical drama `` Dr . Kildare . '' During this period , Montalban secured his place in science-fiction history playing the evil but charismatic Khan in the first season of `` Star Trek . '' Montalban 's dignified demeanor and rich accent added flair to the small screen on a number of television shows . It also established him as a popular pitchman for Maxwell House Coffee and Chrysler . It was the role of the wise and benevolent Mr. Roarke on the 1970 's hit TV series `` Fantasy Island '' that perhaps earned Montalban his greatest number of fans , something he called `` very rewarding . '' iReport.com : Share your memories of Montalban . But he said he tired of hearing fans shouting `` Zee plane , zee plane '' when they saw him . The line was featured in the show 's opening credits by another character , Tattoo . `` They think they are the only ones that thought of saying that , '' he told CNN during the 1990s . `` People mean well , but the joke gets a little tired at times . '' Montalban never tired of fighting for the rights of Latinos in Hollywood . For almost 20 years , he served as president of Nosotros , an organization he founded for the advancement of Hispanics in the entertainment industry . `` The ideals of Nosotros continue . As our community of Latinos in show business increases , so will our participation in all of the many aspects of our industry , '' he said in 1987 .
Montalban 's health was deteriorating , but he ` ` died peacefully '' in his home . Montalban rose to fame as one of Hollywood 's most visible Hispanic actors in 1950s . The Mexican - American actor was best known for his roles on ` ` Fantasy Island , '' ` ` ' . '' Montalban was dedicated to changing Hollywood 's perception of Latinos .