Born in a small village in Syria, Michael Ansara came to the United States with his American parents at the age of two, living in New England, until the family's relocation to California ten years later. He entered Los Angeles City College with the intention of becoming a doctor, but got sidetracked into the dramatics department. A stint at the Pasadena Playhouse (where fellow students included
Charles Bronson,
Carolyn Jones and
Aaron Spelling) led to roles on stage and in films; the starring role (as Cochise) on the popular television series
Broken Arrow (1956) elevated Ansara to stardom.
During the series' run, he met actress
Barbara Eden on a date arranged by the 20th Century-Fox publicity department; the two later married. He played the Klingon commander Kang on three Star Trek television series:
Star Trek (1966),
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) and
Star Trek: Voyager (1995). He also played Buck Rogers' evil adversary Kane on
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979), and provided the voice of Mr. Freeze on
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) and its spin-offs. Michael Ansara died at age 91 from complications of Alzheimer's disease in his home in Calabasas, California on July 31, 2013.
I Dream of Jeannie(1965)
Batman: Vengeance(2001)as Dr. Victor Fries, Mr. Freeze
The Long Road Home(1999)as Murdock Haynes
Batman Beyond(1999)as Mr. Freeze, Victor Fries
Batman Beyond: The Movie(1999)as Dr. Victor Fries, Mr. Freeze
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero(1998)as Mr. Freeze
The Exchange(2000)
E! True Hollywood Story(1996)as Self
Reading Rainbow(1983)as Self - Narrator
When the West Was Fun: A Western Reunion(1979)as Self
ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration(1978)as Self
Celebrity Bowling(1971)as Self
20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(2014)as Self - In Memoriam
The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards(2013)as Self (In Memoriam)
Cinemassacre's Monster Madness(2007)as John Singing Rock
Biography(1987)as Self
