The classic Doolittle Theatre in Hollywood was officially renamed the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre Saturday night in a glitzy, star-studded inauguration ceremony celebrating the iconic actor as well as the Latino performing arts community.

Ed Begley Jr. ("Henry Starling" in Star Trek: Voyager's "Future's End") was among the special guests, representing the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) along with Valerie Harper, Loni Anderson and Hector Elizondo, honoring Montalban for his achievements not only as a performer, but as a former SAG officer and a philanthropist.

The event drew not only a packed house of celebrities and supporters, but throngs of media including many Spanish-speaking outlets. Vine Street between Sunset and Hollywood Boulevard was closed off to accommodate the crowd which gathered around a red-carpet ramp. The red carpet in this case was not for general celebrity arrivals, but for the wheelchair-bound Montalban himself. He arrived in a limo before the sounds of a mariachi band and shouts of "Viva Ricardo!" and was rolled up the ramp, shaking hands all along the way, to the platform where the official unveiling ceremony took place, including a blessing from a priest. (See photo gallery on left.)

The program inside the theatre consisted of various performances along with speeches by officers of the Nosotros organization and the Ricardo Montalban Foundation, which purchased the theatre as a venue to train and support visionary talent and promote diversity. Even at this event, which was largely Latino in spirit, Montalban's role as the Asian tyrant "Khan" in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (reprised from the Original Series episode "Space Seed") proved to be one of his most strongly identifiable and admired ones. In a tribute to Montalban's career written and performed by Hispanic comedian Cris Franco, the first milestone mentioned was the Trek persona. Displaying a large portrait of Khan and parodying "Mame," Franco sang, "Who gave the Star Trek series a hit? Kha-an! Who wanted Captain Kirk blown to bits? Kha-an!"

Later in the show Montalban was wheeled onto the stage, joined by Robert Goulet who sang "The Impossible Dream" (from "Man of La Mancha") to commemorate the culmination of Montalban's 34-year effort to establish this theatre facility. Then, after a passionate standing ovation, Montalban had the entire stage to himself. "I am absolutely overwhelmed," he began.

At 83 years old and despite his disability from a spinal cord injury many years ago, he is still very robust, gracious, and humorous. "Most of you know the five stages of the actor. But in my case, there are seven stages. The first stage is, 'Who is Ricardo Montalban?' The second stage is, 'Get me Ricardo Montalban.' Third stage is, 'Get me a Ricardo Montalban type.' The fourth stage is, 'Get me a young Ricardo Montalban.' Fifth stage is, 'Who is Ricardo Montalban?'" (The audience was in stitches by this point.) "Sixth stage, in my case because of the 'Spy Kids' movies, is, 'Wait a minute — isn't that Whats-his-name?' Seventh stage — because of this theatre, people passing by a few years from now — is, 'Who the hell is that?'"

"'Who the hell is that' is a man who is so moved, so grateful, so humble, for this wonderful evening. The dream started 34 years ago and became a reality," Montalban continued, crediting Nosotros president Jerry Velasco and others for championing his cause after his injury curtailed his activities. But then he spoke about the cause itself.

"Mexico is my mother; the United States the best friend I will ever have. And so I dream of the day when my mother will say, 'Ricardo, you have chosen a wonderful friend.' And the day when the friend will say, 'Ricardo, you have a sensational mother.' That is why it is very important to bring us together. Brothers and sisters, love thy neighbor as thyself. And this theatre, I think, can be a little grain of sand towards that end... Here we have opened the doors not only for the opportunity of young talent to develop — writers, directors, actors — but also in coming together as a group in this society in which we live."

"Let's open a hand of friendship and love and brotherhood. That is my dream. I'll never see it complete while I'm still alive, but I think this is the beginning, and that is what makes me so happy to see this come to fruition."

For more information regarding the Ricardo Montalban Foundation or Theatre, or if you would like to contribute to the endowment fund, please visit Nosotros.org at the link below, or contact Jerry Velasco at (323) 466-8566.  Regular performances at the theater begin May 21 with "POV — A Festival of New Plays in Process." Visit www.RicardoMontalbanTheatre.org for ongoing information.