Michael Ansara's life journey began in a small Syrian village, where he was born to American parents who relocated to the United States when he was just two years old. The family settled in New England, where Ansara spent the next decade of his childhood before making the move to California with his family when he was twelve.
As a young man, Ansara entered Los Angeles City College with the intention of pursuing a career in medicine, but his path took an unexpected turn when he discovered a passion for the dramatic arts. He soon found himself enrolled in the dramatics department, where he honed his skills and began to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry.
Ansara's big break came when he landed the starring role as Cochise on the popular television series Broken Arrow, which catapulted him to stardom. During the show's run, he met his future wife, actress Barbara Eden, on a date arranged by the 20th Century-Fox publicity department.
In addition to his work on Broken Arrow, Ansara went on to play a number of iconic roles throughout his career. He portrayed the Klingon commander Kang on three different Star Trek television series, including Star Trek, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. He also played the villainous Kane on the 1979 series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and provided the voice of Mr. Freeze on Batman: The Animated Series and its spin-offs.
Michael Ansara's legacy extends far beyond his impressive body of work. He was a devoted husband and father, and he is remembered by his loved ones as a kind and gentle soul. Ansara passed away on July 31, 2013, at the age of 91, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. He spent his final days in his home in Calabasas, California, surrounded by the love and support of his family.
