Michael Ansara, a rugged character actor perhaps best known for his role on three different TV iterations of Star Trek, has died at the age of 91. Ansara, who was married to actress Barbara Eden of I Dream of Jeannie fame, died July 31 at his home in Calabasas, Calif., after a prolonged illness. Born in a small village in Syria to American parents, Ansara is beloved by Star Trek fans for his portrayal of his character, Klingon warrior Kang. The actor played Kang on three versions of the legendary sci-fi franchise: the original (1968), Deep Space Nine (1994) and Voyager (1996). He also had major roles in such films as Julius Caesar and The Robe, Jupiter’s Darling, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and The Greatest Story Ever Told . Ansara came to the U.S. with his American parents at the age of 2. As a teen, he and his family relocated to California, and he entered Los Angeles City College with the intention of becoming a doctor, not an actor. 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. Michael Ansara was married to Eden from 1958-74. Their son, Matthew Michael Ansara, died in 2001.
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Michael Ansara Dies; Star Trek Actor Was 91
