Michael Ansara, a television and movie actor whose roles included a Klingon on "Star Trek," died Wednesday at his Calabasas, California home. He was 91.
His former agent Michael B. Druxman told the New York Times that the actor died after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Ansara was born in Syria and moved to the United States when he was two-years-old. His family first lived in Massachusetts before moving to Los Angeles when he was 10.
Although his intentions were to become a doctor, he felt more and more attracted to acting after taking a few classes to overcome his shyness.
Because of his Syrian heritage, Ansara was often cast in ethnic roles, playing American Indian characters on TV shows like "Broken Arrow" and "Law of the Plainsman." He also appeared on ''I Dream of Jeannie," "Hawaii 5-0" and "Murder, She Wrote."
However, Ansara is mostly known and beloved for his role as evil Klingon leader Kang in "Star Trek." He is also recognized for being one of seven actors to play the same character on three versions of the sci-fi series.
Ansara gave life to Kang in the original Star Trek, "Deep Space Nine," and "Voyager."
His film credits include "Julius Caesar," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "The Comancheros" with John Wayne.
More recently, the actor appeared as the guardian to an estranged grandson in the 1999 independent film "Long Road Home" and as the voice of Mr. Freeze on the cartoon TV series "Batman" and "Batman Beyond."
He was predeceased by his son, Matthew, with former wife Barbara Eden. Ansara is survived by his wife of 36 years, Beverly Kushida, a sister and a niece and nephew.
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