
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, September 5, 1993                   TAG: 9309050194
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Short

VILLECHAIZE, TV'S `TATTOO,' DIES AT 50

Herve Villechaize, the diminutive actor whose shout, "The plane, the plane" greeted arriving guests on TV's "Fantasy Island" in the 1970s and '80s, committed suicide Saturday, his publicist said. He was 50.

Villechaize, who left behind a note and tape recording saying he was despondent over health problems, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his North Hollywood home, said publicist David Brokaw.

The 3-foot-11-inch Villechaize played Tattoo, the comical sidekick to Ricardo Montalban's Mr. Rourke on "Fantasy Island," which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1984.

His robust shout, "The plane, the plane," which announced the arrival of another planeload of "Fantasy Island" guests, became a national catch phrase in the 1980s.

"I considered his contribution to `Fantasy Island' as one of the keys to the tremendous success that the show enjoyed," Montalban said in a statement.

Villechaize had a history of medical problems stemming from his undersized lungs. He nearly died of pneumonia a year ago, said Brokaw's brother, Sandy, who also worked with the actor.

Villechaize also suffered from ulcers and a spastic colon.

The French-born actor appeared on "Fantasy Island" from 1978 to 1983, leaving the series a year early after a salary dispute.

by CNB