Herve Villechaize, Remembered For TV Role

LOS ANGELES - 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 Sept. 4, his publicist said. He was 50.

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

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

Mr. Villechaize had a history of medical problems stemming from his undersized lungs. He nearly died during a bout with pneumonia a year ago, said publicist, Sandy Brokaw.

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

dispute.