Christ, I didn’t even know he was still alive. I’ve been checking out Ansara’s IMDb filmography. He worked steadily in movies and television from 1944 right up until 2001, when he did the voice of Mr. Freeze for a Batman cartoon. That’s more than most actors can claim or even hope for. Happy birthday, Mr. Ansara, and thanks for the pleasure you’ve given us as Kang, as the religious nut in the original Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and as God knows how many American Indians!
In a bit of serendipity, the very next thread to this (at this moment) is discussing The Way to Eden!
Interesting you should mention his Mr. Freeze role for the animated Batman, Scotpens. Until I saw that early 90s episode, I never knew his backstory. (The 1966 series never elaborated upon a lot of the characters.) So while George Sanders may have projected a more aristocrastic air, I prefer Ansara's performance because we (well, maybe just "I") learned about the loss of his wife and how it drove him to do what he does. Also, I absolutely loved how they "tweaked" his voice in his debut as Freeze. That stoic attitude mixed with the slight "buzzing" reverb made me think, "Ooh! THAT'S how a Cyberman should sound!" Not totally mechanized, but still retaining a "twinge" of humanity. Later they toned down the augmentation, maybe did away with it all together, but but that first appearance, they got it RIGHT! Sincerely, Bill
Is it just me of was ANSARA the best Klingon ever in TOS. Koloth was a wimp, Kor was very believable as a leader, but with Kang you fel this guy will truly kick your butt if you cross him. Happy birthday Mr. ANSARA and many more.
Ansara had a guest role on I Dream of Jeannie as the Blue Djinn, who originally imprisoned Jeannie in the bottle. Incidentally, that was probably the closest he ever got to playing a character of his own ethnic background — if there are Lebanese genies.
He played a Technomage on an episode (or two) of Babylon 5 with invincible gravitas. I wish he had appeared more frequently.
He also played King Kamehameha in a Hawaiian episode (A two parter I believe) and apparently a 3rd character, Biff Jelico. I caught the Hawaiian episode a few years back and knew instantly the voice was that of Elric, the Technomage from Babylon 5
Well, he was married to Barbara Eden, wasn't he? Speaking of Lebanese playing themselves, Jamie Farr's biography was pretty much incorporated whole into his Klinger character. He even wore his own Korean war dogtags.