Ricardo Montalbán

Ricardo Montalbán was, in fact, not a Jew. We know, we know. The suave demeanor, the exotic allure, the constant yearning for "rich Corinthian leather" – it all screamed "honorary Member of the Tribe." But alas, Ricardo was proudly and demonstrably Catholic, a fact he made no secret of. So close, and yet so far.

Born in Mexico City, Montalbán achieved Hollywood stardom despite a noticeable accent, a hurdle many non-Jewish actors of his era couldn't quite clear. He was a versatile performer, equally at home in romantic leads, dramatic roles, and villainous turns, always bringing a certain gravitas and undeniable charm to the screen.

His role as Mr. Roarke in "Fantasy Island" solidified his place in pop culture history, and his reprisal of Khan Noonien Singh in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is often cited as one of the greatest villainous performances in cinematic history. He gave William Shatner a run for his money, and for that, we kvell just a tiny bit, even if he wasn't one of ours. He was even fluent in four languages, making him a true Renaissance man, or at least a man with really good diction.