Richard Hatch
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| Portrays: | Captain Apollo (TOS) Thomas Zarek (RDM) Rylo (Voice) (Video Game) | ||||
| Date of Birth: | May 21, 1945 | ||||
| Date of Death: | February 07, 2017 | ||||
| Age at Death: | 71 | ||||
| Nationality: |  USA
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| @ BW Media | |||||
Richard Hatch (May 21, 1945 - February 7, 2017) was an American actor and writer. Hatch is best known for portraying the role of Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica, as well as his attempts to revive the series, notably in the form of his promotional trailer, Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming, as well as his various novels. He would later portray Tom Zarek in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica in 2004, making him the only Original Series actor to also appear in the Re-imagined Series.
Overview
Born in Santa Monica, California, Richard Hatch was studying classical piano at the age of eight. In high school, he was a keen athlete, and hoped to participate in the Olympics as a pole vaulter.
Biographical Notes
However, following the assassination of John F. Kennedy, he read an article about the slain president to the rest of his oral interpretation class at school, and found himself orating and almost acting as he read. This led him to enrolling in the Eric Morris Actors' Workshop a few years later. While he was uncertain about taking up acting as a career, he changed his mind after appearing in a version of the Tennessee Williams one-act play "This Property is Condemned".
Early Television Career
His television career started in earnest in 1970, when he was cast as "Philip Brent" in the original series of All My Children (1970). Following this, he took guest roles in the leading genre shows of the 1970s: Canon, Hawaii Five-O, Barnaby Jones, The Rookies and Medical Centre, as well as appearing in shows such as Kung Fu, MacGyver and The Waltons.
In 1976 he was cast opposite Karl Malden in The Streets of San Francisco, in which he replaced Michael Douglas for the final two seasons of the show. Following this, he was cast in the role of Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica series - a role for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Education and Early Influences
Reflecting on his formative years, Hatch revealed to Starlog magazine that his college experience shaped his understanding of science fiction and human nature. "I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, so I had no real interest in anything — except I wanted to go to the Olympics; I was a pole vaulter — and all day long I would sit there in class reading science fiction. I'd stay immersed in my book until two o'clock, when I could go out and do sports."[commentary 1]
Character Analysis and Acting Philosophy
Hatch brought considerable intellectual depth to his portrayal of Apollo, viewing the character through a philosophical lens. Speaking extensively to Starlog about his interpretation, Hatch explained:
"I see Apollo as an idealized character. Through him, I'd like to show the sensitive side of a strong man. He's as much a Renaissance man as I can make him. And he's an evolved man. He's gained an advanced perspective of life through living and through learning from thousands of years of social evolution."[commentary 2]
He further elaborated on Apollo's complexity:
"He's down-to-earth, able to learn from the past and see the present in a rational way. I don't mean he's stoic — merely, perspicacious. He has a strong sense of responsibility, and he cares about the people he deals with. Even though he lives in a highly complicated, highly evolved, mechanized society, there's a simplicity about him, a certain naivete. He has a strong sense of values and he really believes in honesty and truth."[commentary 3]
Creative Ambitions and Science Fiction Vision
Beyond his acting career, Hatch demonstrated a deep passion for the science fiction genre and its potential for exploring human themes.
"Through him, I'd like to show the sensitive side of a strong man. He's as much a Renaissance man as I can make him." The combination comes naturally to Richard Hatch who claims he's "a jock at heart," and who is an accomplished classical pianist, "guitarist and song-writer."[commentary 4]
Away from acting, Richard Hatch lectures on a range of subjects, including: overcoming fear and producing powerful results, success strategies for business and life, and becoming a powerful, dynamic and compelling communicator. He created the "Breakthrough to Success Bootcamps," which inspire people to achieve a more productive and positive lifestyle.
Before & After
Since the end of the original series of Battlestar Galactica, Hatch has demonstrated his love of the show by writing tie-in books, and working to bring about a continuation of the original series. Amongst writing books, numbering seven as of this writing, he also produced and starred in a promotional trailer called Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming, which was shown at SF conventions to much acclaim. While he was initially openly skeptical about the new Battlestar Galactica series, he has recognized it as a different interpretation of the Galactica's voyages and accepted it to the point of appearing in the recurring role of Tom Zarek.
Role in the Re-imagined Series
Initially, Hatch was very openly critical of the decision to "re-imagine" Battlestar Galactica instead of creating a continuation. He was offered a cameo role in the Miniseries as the priest Elosha (who was conceived as a male character at the time), but he declined.[production 1]
Later, Ronald D. Moore offered him the recurring role of Tom Zarek. Intrigued by the character's complexity, Hatch accepted. He reflected on his decision:
"I fell in love with the original show and I spent a lot of time and money fighting to bring it back, so it was a painful process for me to accept that the studio was going ahead with a re-imagining instead... But I had to come to terms in a very painful way that I didn't own Battlestar, and I had to move past my own frustrations to appreciate the new show on its own merits."[production 2]
His presence on set created a unique dynamic, particularly with Jamie Bamber, the new Apollo. The episode "Bastille Day" features a scene where Zarek discusses the meaning of Lee Adama's callsign, which Hatch viewed as a symbolic "passing of the mantle" between the two actors.[production 3]
Death
Richard Hatch passed away on February 7, 2017 as a result of pancreatic cancer, which he had been battling while in hospice care.[external 1]
Notes
- Hatch appears in all episodes of the Original Series, and 22 episodes of the Re-imagined Series.
Official Statements
- Richard Hatch comments on the comic series, Battlestar Galactica: Zarek, he plans to read:
- I'm looking forward to learning more about my history and backstory. I'm amazed that they decided to do a story on my character and I'm truly humbled and appreciative[external 2].
References
Commentary and Interviews
Production History
- ↑ David Bassom (2005). Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books, p. 53.
- ↑ David Bassom (2005). Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books, p. 135.
- ↑ David Bassom (2005). Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion. Titan Books, p. 54.
External Sources and Reviews
- ↑ Legacy.com: Richard Hatch (1945 - 2017) (content archived on Archive.org) (in ). Retrieved on 21 May 2019.
- ↑ Maida, Jerome (8 January 2007). She's just MARVEL-ous (content archived on Archive.org) (in ). Retrieved on 1 July 2007.