Ricardo Montalban dies at 88

January 14, 2009 Montalban's death was announced at a meeting of the city council by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Montalban's suave manner and patriarchal dignity became his trademarks, and for a period in his late career, he served as the TV pitchman for Chrysler. Because he had played the role during the TV series with such menace, the film producers brought back the character for the film.

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