Star of 'Fantasy Island' dies

Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr Roarke in TV’s 'Fantasy Island', has died at the age of 88.

Montalban’s death was first announced at a Los Angeles city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived.

He died “from complications of advancing age,” his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith, later said.

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946.

But Montalban was best known as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr Roarke, who presided over a tropical island resort where visitors fulfilled their lifelong dreams.