Michael Ansara

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 was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6666 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

Had one son with Barbara Eden: Matthew Ansara (born August 29, 1965 - died June 25, 2001).

He played the Klingon commander Kang on three Star Trek television series: Star Trek: The Original Series (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.

Interviewed in Tom Weaver's book "Monsters, Mutants and Heavenly Creatures: Confessions of 14 Classic Sci-Fi Horrormeisters!" (Midnight Marquee Press, 1996).

On Monday, June 25, 2001, his son Matthew Ansara (with second wife Barbara Eden) died of an accidental drug overdose at age 35. His body was found in his car in a parking lot off a freeway in Los Angeles, California.