Not every actor can survive on television season after season. However, Montalbán spent seven years starring in one of the most successful shows on television, and the actor never lost his ferocity for performing.

The actor starred as Mr. Roarke in the popular show Fantasy Island for seven seasons in as many years. Even after the departure of his co-star, Hervé Villechaize, who had been on the show from the very beginning, Montalbán remained on the series until it ended in 1984. “I’m very grateful to Fantasy Island,” the actor said during an interview with the Associated Press. “Because of it, I have, if not great wealth, at least financial security. And I have great affection for the people I worked with - the best crew I’ve known in my career.”

But after seven years of dedicated work in the industry, Montalbán decided he wanted to take a step away from performing.

Watch Fantasy Island on MeTV!

Sundays at 4 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

“After seven years on the tube, I think I am ready for a respite,” said the actor in an interview with the Associated Press. “I’ve turned down offers to appear on series like Love Boat and Hotel. I think it will be good for me to be scarce for a while…Of course, there’s always the possibility of ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ But I think I will take a year off, and then try to find something good for me to do, so that the audience will be glad to see me back.”

A dedicated performer, Montalbán had more than earned his time off. The actor willingly sought out challenges to push himself in the hopes that he would become a better actor.

“You learn more from adversity than from the good times,” said Montalbán. “To have a role that is written for you and flows from scene to scene - that is easy. But when you are handed a role that is difficult, you must call on your inner resources.”