Ken Taylor, CIA operative whose story was told in ‘Argo,’ dies
A pivotal scene in the movie “Argo” shows CIA operative Tony Mendez (portrayed by star and director Ben Affleck) defending his fake science fiction movie plot to a U.S. diplomat caught in the crosshairs of the Iran hostage crisis of 1979.
While the 2012 film received almost universal critical acclaim, garnering an Oscar for best picture and numerous other accolades, it was also criticized for misrepresenting how the famed rescue scheme unfolded.
When the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was stormed by Islamist students and militants, six American diplomats escaped and found sanctuary in the homes of Mr. Taylor and his first secretary, John Sheardown.
In addition to shielding the Americans from Iranian capture, Mr. Taylor also played a crucial role in plotting their escape.
Working with CIA officials and Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark, Mr. Taylor obtained for the Americans six Canadian passports containing forged Iranian visas that ultimately allowed them to board a flight to Switzerland.
Lijek remembers the ambassador as he was when they met: young, with big glasses and a big smile — what Lijek speculated might be “the Canadian version of a stiff upper lip.”
While the diplomats anxiously awaited news of a rescue plan for months, they took solace in Mr. Taylor’s upbeat nature.
Minnesotans sent “I LOVE YOU” messages to Canada’s secretary of state for external affairs, Flora MacDonald, after she confirmed the news.
Out of concern for 50 Americans still being held hostage in 1980, Carter’s official statement at the time wholly credited Canada and made no mention of CIA involvement.
Ben Affleck’s character in the film only stayed in Iran a day and a half,” Carter told CNN, emphasizing that Taylor really “orchestrated the whole process.
In the words of the Toronto Star, this is when the “bromance” between Mr. Taylor and Affleck began, when they became “friends and allies, through an act of diplomacy.”
The director flew the Taylors into Los Angeles for a private screening of “Argo,” gave them a tour of the Warner lot, had lunch with them and listened to their reservations about the movie.
Out of respect for his new “bro,” Affleck changed the movie’s postscript to instead read: The involvement of the CIA complemented efforts of the Canadian Embassy to free the six held in Tehran.
The humble former ambassador, who went on to found a public consulting firm and serve as Nabisco’s senior vice president, was granted a green card in 1985 but told reporters he had no intention of becoming an American citizen.