Ricardo Montalbán Reveals The True Meaning Of Corinthian Leather | Letterman

Ricardo also talks about his iconic role as Khan in "Star Trek."
(From "Late Night," air date: 4/14/87)
#ricardomontalban #corinthian #letterman
Subscribe to Letterman: bit.ly/3GeOIAg
Follow Letterman on Social:
Facebook: / davidletterman
Instagram: / letterman
Twitter: / letterman
TikTok: / letterman
Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. And for those of you who like Miscellaneous, you may very well find some Miscellaneous here.

[@christophercorrao3656]

The Original Most Interesting Man in the World

[@antonydrossos5719]

A true gentleman

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Charming and quick witted. Laughed out loud more than once during this interview. Dave and the audience seemed to genuinely love Ricardo’s appearance here.

[@keefriff99]

What a delightful gentleman. He will always be Khan to me, but he was such a suave and charming man.

[@hillelbuchsbaum6965]

That was surprisingly excellent. I think Dave was surprised how good that went. Started a bit slow, ended with Dave being caught unaware that time was out.

[@dukeallen432]

Why did it surprise you. Are you old enough to remember fantasy island? And Dave’s a master at this.

[@fidorover]

Hearing the phrase "Rich, Corinthian leather" made me remember the time Dave was doing a sponsor-written lead-in to a Budweiser commercial. Dave said, "Tonight's show is brought to you by Budweiser. Beechwood aged... (he then looked at the bottle and continued)... ya know, they could age this stuff in plywood and it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference."

[@TheFriendlyTroll]

That's hilarious. Dave's the man.

[@JiveDadson]

Reach Coranthian lather

[@TheMongex]

What a gem this gentleman was... and what a diction for someone whose english isn't it first language. Greetings for Córdoba, Argentina (and that's right, it's accentuated on the first syllable).

[@razoraz]

It's obvious to anyone who knows the language from the accent indicator alone. But corporate interests will modify anything into a sort of milky-introduction to the culture for their interests. He was a gem and such a speaker.

[@peterddb1593]

I could listen to Ricardo speak until the cows come home. I’m not sure exactly how long that is, but I think it is a long time. I enjoyed this interview. One of the shows Ricardo mentioned, “The Colbys “, also included Charlton Heston. Watching Ricardo and Charlton recite their cheesy dialogue was a true joy. It was also a joy watching Paul get so excited during this segment. Thanks for randomly posting this clip!

[@canoeman1961]

Me too. I could listen to Ricardo talk about cows until they come home.

[@kstepko]

Especially if they are the cows that produce that fine Corinthian leather!

[@user-uq6sz6po3d]

How far away from home are the cows?

[@ghanasoul]

I get what u mean. I love his cool suave manner, accent and his whole demeanor. He’s a gentleman and was a class act.

[@cowbelltv4865]

I remember seeing this when it first aired and LOVED Mr. Montalban. I thought he was one of Letterman’s best interviews! So great!

[@tminusnyc2915]

This guy was GOLD.

[@user-xm3iy6ht1z]

This was fun. I miss your old show, Dave. ❤

[@56falco]

I remember seeing this when it first aired! "HI Ricardo!" "And I said Hiii..." Still cracks me up. Thanks for posting this!

[@hungfao]

He's more personable and funnier than I expected. Really good actor but have never seen him interviewed like this.

[@EyeTunz]

This is the coolest cat I've seen in a while.

[@TyroneDaviesWELSHMAN]

A self-deprecating legend. Talent and class.. A rare combination these days. Mores the pity.

[@pauld.172]

OMG yes!

[@KungEMuller]

David Letterman learned a lot from Ricardo. This was an intelligent interview.

[@Rob_Kates]

Ricardo was a charming guy.

[@KungEMuller]

@@Rob_Kates Very true.

[@JackSilbert]

Enjoyed this one very much! What a good-natured guy!

[@JohnSmith-ty1gm]

A gentleman, and surprisingly down to earth...a class act.

[@MichelleUS66]

So smooth! 🥰 (He was great as Khan, but imagine how cool it would have been if he had been cast as a villain in Batman!)

[@justa335]

Two legends.

[@scottlarson1548]

Montalbán was occasionally on the show "Sábado Gigante" and his Spanish was clear enough for me to understand while learning Spanish in high school.

[@ronsandlin9618]

So soon after the Mr. Nicky hairpiece segment!

[@VirginiaWolf88]

He is so awesome on every level.

[@TraitofSiNN727]

I would love to talk to Ricardo about Star Trek. KHAN!!!

[@CSavageSr]

Khan!!!

[@mikeinmaryland]

One of my favorite lines in Naked Gun Paraphrasing: How can you be so vicious? You’re forgetting… I spent 2 years as a building contractor. 😂

[@BrandonHardaker]

Both Dave and Ricardo are cool. R. I. P. Ricardo.

[@GarretGrayCamera]

I like to think this is actually Khan, he survived Star Trek II and became a beloved entertainer.

[@penguin44ca]

Ok that's now head canon for me

[@datacipher]

Ceti alpha 5 didn’t work out so he had to take the Hell option - Hollywood.

[@4seeableTV]

He had it all. Smarts. Humor. Charm. I wish we had seen more of him in his later years.

[@carlosa7807]

What a great interview. Such class

[@user-ov9vt4wx3o]

Shatner should have shown up and screamed KKKKHHHHHAANNNNNNN !!!!!

[@scottcaldwell7480]

He seems like a very kind and genuine fellow.

[@SteveMikre44]

For his role as Kahn he really hit the weights hard, which added so much to character...🏋️‍♂️🎬

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

Nicholas Meyer has been repeatedly asked if Montalbán wore a prosthetic chest for his scenes, as his uniform was purposefully designed with an open front. Meyer replied in audio commentary for the film that Montalbán (who was 61 during filming) is "one strong cookie" and that no prosthetics were applied to the actor's sizeable frame.

[@datacipher]

Uh NO. He was ALWAYS jacked. He was jacked on fantasy island he was long after Wrath.

[@datacipher]

@@theoriginalbridgetconnorsyes he was jacked his entire life and unlike all the Hollywood celebs since travolta and Stallone started using in the 70’s, he was presumably always steroid free.

[@SteveMikre44]

@@datacipher Very true, but he definitely added mass for his role as Kahn...

[@datacipher]

@@SteveMikre44 I don’t think so. He was very very bulky on Fanatsy Island much of the time, and of course, he was bigger in Space Seed as well. He was older by Wrath of Khan but I don’t see any evidence that he had declined sharply before Trek 2. 8 years after he was still comparable at age 70…. There’s even a clip online of him in a tank top at age 70… in BL Styker. His arms are at least his hit and his chest is wide and big - if possible slightly flabbier.

[@moxica93]

We had a Cordoba when I was young. But it had no Corinthian Leather...

[@PugetSoundFlyer]

RIP Ricardo - Gone to soon!

[@MagicAl5F4781]

The Naked Gun was the year after this.

[@VirginiaWolf88]

My Grandfather had a Chrysler Cordoba. It was really nice.:)

[@mkpleco]

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the best Star Trek movie still today.

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

Khan!!!!

[@CSavageSr]

Khan!!!

[@user-ov9vt4wx3o]

Prior to Victor Ludwig in The Naked Gun.

[@user-eq2dx2jp6v]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ hiiiii ❤❤❤❤❤ dear dave

[@JiveDadson]

Reach Corrrinthian lather

[@nighthiker8872]

8.37

[@roknrolbilly]

[@razoraz]

This is a little class in acting and how much you have to contribute to mindless scripts. One of the first videos I saved on KZbin is of his commercial with Chrysler; the enunciation of "rich Corinthian leather". And the "Cordoba". He genuflects, like most latinos. Master of his craft, as Dave is of his.

[@4yules]

neighba!

[@jeffperteet2327]

Wow 5-10 to make Fatasy Island, for 7 years, it was the best show though

[@datacipher]

Typical Dave garbage interview skills - cutoff the ending of the “cordoba” story which I wanted to hear.

[@penguin44ca]

Wait. It's not real? Well my whole life is just a lie then. Obviously not real