Ricardo Montez


Ricardo Montez was a Gibraltarian actor. He was best known for his role as the Spanish bartender Juan Cervantes, a student in Jeremy Brown's EFL class in the ITV sitcom Mind Your Language and one of four students to appear in all four series.

Life and career

Montez was born Levy Isaac Attias on 23 September 1923 in Gibraltar to Gibraltarian Jewish parents. He and his family were evacuated to England during World War II. On returning to Gibraltar, he worked in different jobs, including as an extra in films. While appearing in the British film Wonderful Things!, the actor Frankie Vaughan persuaded him to travel to London and become an actor, which he did in 1962, changing his name at Vaughan's suggestion to Ricardo Montez. He appeared primarily in television programmes, including The Saint, The Avengers, Doctor at Sea and Don't Drink the Water, in which he usually played Spanish characters.
Montez's most famous role was as 'Juan Cervantes', the moustachioed Spaniard in the diverse international class of mature English-language learners, in the ITV sitcom Mind Your Language. In his later years, he continued to appear on television in programmes including Sharpe's Honour and Casualty, as well as in commercials. Montez’s final acting role was as 'Stavros' in the 2008 film Mamma Mia!.

Personal life

Montez lived in the suburb of Richmond in London. He used to visit Gibraltar twice a year. He married Orivida Hatchwell in 1953; they had a daughter, Clara, and a granddaughter, Sara. Montez died from cancer at his daughter's home in Marbella, Spain on 26 October 2010, at the age of 87.

Selected credits

Film

The Girl Hunters - Skinny Guy 633 Squadron - New Zealand Pilot at Casino Maroc 7 - Pablo Carry on in the Legion - Riff at Abdul's Tent Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River - Arab Vendetta for the Saint - Nino A Talent for Loving - Bandit 11 Harrowhouse - 2nd Manager Are You Being Served? - Revolutionary Incognito - Juan Del CampoMamma Mia! - Stavros

Television

Crane - OmarThe Plane Makers - Mr. PratoMan of the World - Driver / Garcia / MiguelITV Play of the Week - Airport officialNo Hiding Place - Bruno BrunoneDetective - JoseThe Rat Catchers - TutorThe Avengers - Colonel JosinoMan in a Suitcase - Guard / Police Officer / Spanish Taxi DriverThe Saint - Carlos Segoia / Guieseppe / Head WaiterThe Champions - DetectiveFrom a Bird's Eye View - Spanish SergeantUFO - 2nd Mexican BanditThe Persuaders! - Inspector SantosJason King - GarciaBarlow at Large - Henry RiveraDoctor at Sea - BarmanThe Top Secret Life of Edgar Briggs - ZammitDon't Drink the Water - Doctor / JoseThe Onedin Line - BuckleDoctor on the Go - Mr. ValentiniThe Likes of Sykes The Jim Davidson Show Duty Free - PedroNever the Twain - MiguelSharpe's Honour - Father SanchezMind Your Language - Juan CervantesCasualty - Gerald Kirby / XavierAuf Wiedersehen, Pet - Fuentes / Ofelia's Grandfather

Writing credits