Michael Ansara, who played original Klingon, dies

[The Straight Story]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The actor who played the original Klingon on TV's "Star Trek" has died.

A longtime friend and spokesman for Michael Ansara says the actor died Wednesday at his home in Calabasas, Calif. after a long illness. He was 91.

Besides playing Kang the Klingon in various "Star Trek" series, Ansara appeared on dozens of TV shows, including "Broken Arrow," ''Law of the Plainsman," ''I Dream of Jeannie," ''Hawaii 5-0" and "Murder, She Wrote."

His film credits include "Julius Caesar," ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," ''The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "The Comancheros" with John Wayne.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/michael-ansara-who-played-original-klingon-dies

[Faygo Kid]

1. He also played Angry Horse in the 1956 film, "The Lone Ranger"

I'm probably the only one who recalls that. Loved the Lone Ranger; of course he beat Ansara in a fight, but didn't kill him. Natch.

[Berlum]

22. R.I.P.

[life long demo]

32. That's what I remember. Thank you so much for posting that

Yeah, I remember having a crush on him also. RIP

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. this guy

[TeeYiYi]

9. Thank you...

... I hate OPs with an obviously visual message that don't supply a pic.

TYY

[backscatter712]

3. I shall drink to honor his journey to Sto'Vo'Kor!

His life was honorable, and he shall feast forever in the Hall of Warriors!

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Oh no!

Didn't realize he was that age but then Shatner & Nimoy are 82.



On DS9



R.I.P.

Use to watch Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea too...

[Boomerproud]

5. He was married to Barbara Eden.

They had a son, Matthew, who died of drug-related causes.

[Berlum]

21. Michael & Barbara

[napkinz]

28. another ...

[edbermac]

6. No, no, no, he was not 'the original Klingon'

That was John Colicos from Errand Of Mercy, season one. Ansara appeared in season three.

That writer is going catch hell from Trek fans everywhere!

[gulliver]

33. +1

[NMDemDist2]

7. i had such a crush on him in Broken Arrow

[RebelOne]

11. Me too. n/t

[matthews]

30. Yep. He was definitely a handsome man. nt

[Auntie Bush]

8. I had no idea he was married to Barbara Eden.

[theHandpuppet]

10. He was Syrian, though a lot of folks mistakenly think he was Native American

Had a wonderful voice, too.

[Rowdyboy]

18. And they both had only the one child, Matthew Ansara who overdosed on heroin in 2001....

How unbelievably sad.

[47of74]

12. Kang was my favorite of the original Klingons

All three - Kor, Kang, and Koloth were awesome, by Kang stood out for me. I wish DS9 had kept him alive with or in place of Kor.

RIP Mr. Ansara.

[scarletwoman]

13. What's with this Klingon stuff? Michael Ansara will always be Cochise to me.

"Broken Arrow" was one of my absolutely favorite shows when I was a kid.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Star Trek, too. But when Ansara first appeared on Star Trek, my only thought was, "Far out! Cochise on Star Trek!"

Yes, I am that old.

sw

[yellerpup]

14. He will always be Cochise to me, too.

He had a beautiful voice.

[scarletwoman]

16. Yes, he had an amazing voice! It was unmistakable!

Rich and full-bodied - like dark chocolate.

[Raine]

19. Me too. nt

[Paladin]

27. +!.

[Egalitarian Thug]

15. Incredible voice and his greatest achievement, of course, being married to Barbara Eden

for 26 years.

He will be missed.

[bedazzled]

23. babylon five was my favorite role of his

"Do not try the patience of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger"

that show was remarkably good

[niyad]

17. requiescat in pacem, michael. you will be missed.

like others here, I adored him first as cochise, and later as barbara's husband. what an incredible voice.

[napkinz]

20. found this tribute on YouTube ...

[keroro gunsou]

24. he was also

the voice of victor freis/mister freeze on batman the animated series... a voice he rocked

RIP

[napkinz]

25. Michael Ansara as Kang in "Day of the Dove" episode

[warrior1]

26. Rest in peace

[House of Roberts]

29. I best remember him in Law of the Plainsman as Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart.

In rerun syndication, it was grouped with three other short-lived Western series from the same company, Black Saddle starring Peter Breck, Johnny Ringo starring Don Durant, and The Westerner starring Brian Keith, under the umbrella title The Westerners, bracketed with hosting sequences featuring Keenan Wynn who always said at the end: And that's how it is out here, on The Westerners'.

[Eleanors38]

31. Another boyhood image walks into the mist. Via con dios.