Richard Hatch, star of the original Battlestar Galactica (and the 2003 reboot), has died aged 71 from pancreatic cancer. Hatch, best known for playing Captain Apollo in the 70s sci-fi classic, leaves a sci-fi legacy as great as any other – and stars past and present have responded with an outpouring of tributes on social media.
The Battlestar Galactica community was a tight-knit, passionate one and the actors from the 2003 reboot of Battlestar Galactica, including the new Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Dr Gaius (James Callis), paid tribute to the actor.
Richard Hatch. You leave a huge hole in our BSG family which we will never fill and never try to. #ThankYouCaptainApolloFebruary 8, 2017
The Original Apollo -a true gem of a man, so kind, funny & so smart -we are missing you Richard Hatch - rest in peace. Flights of angels...February 8, 2017
Battlestar Galactica’s Starbuck, Katee Sackhoff, also posted a tribute to Hatch on Twitter, with a wonderfully heart-warming photo.
Edward James Olmos and Sackhoff both included the iconic BSG line ‘So say we all’ in their tributes.
Goodbye my friend. See you on the other side. Fuck this hurts. #SoSayWeAll pic.twitter.com/c3nFy0zs4fFebruary 7, 2017
.Richard Hatch you made our universe a better place We love you for it. Rest In Peace my friend @SoSayWeAll the Admiral!February 7, 2017
Mary McDonnell, who also starred in 2003’s Battlestar Galactica alongside Hatch, described him as “a Prince” upon hearing of his death, with social media being flooded with stories of Richard Hatch’s kindness, including one from the creator of the BSG reboot, Ronald D. Moore:
I'm sorry Richard Hatch I'm so sorry and sad that you are gone. This simply does not compute . You were a force . A light . A Prince. So SadFebruary 8, 2017
Richard Hatch was a good man, a gracious man, and a consummate professional. His passing is a heavy blow to the entire BSG family.February 7, 2017
I've told the story how Richard once defended me before a hostile crowd - still remains one of the most selfless acts I've ever witnessed.February 8, 2017
Richard Hatch’s influence spread far and wide for lovers of sci-fi, and even with stars of Star Trek and Star Wars. George Takei and Walter Koenig, stars of the original Star Trek, mourned the passing of one of sci-fi’s great heroes.
Rest with the galactic stars, Richard Hatch. https://t.co/o1J42dxtaTFebruary 8, 2017
Deeply saddened by the passing of actor Richard Hatch. A kind, talented and delightful person. Far too soon. So sorry.February 8, 2017
Dave Prowse, Darth Vader himself, shared a really cool photo of the two together – the ultimate baddie with the swashbuckling hero – joined together by their love of appearing at conventions.
Very sad to hear about Richard Hatch 😢 #RIP #Apollo pic.twitter.com/Xxgxi3hXmVFebruary 7, 2017
Sci-fi mainstay Doug Jones also felt the loss of Richard Hatch, calling him “A passionate teacher of the craft.”
Richard Hatch. A fantastic actor, a passionate teacher of the craft. A mutual friend who is missed.#RichardHatch #RIP #BattlestarGalactica pic.twitter.com/LRzGbkAxAXFebruary 8, 2017
Hatch’s family released a statement upon his death, which you can read in full below.
RIP Captain Apollo. Family statement on the death of Richard Hatch. #BattlestarGalactica pic.twitter.com/0dLHr6lxEfFebruary 8, 2017
All of us at 12DOVE would like to extend our condolences to the Hatch family.
Image: Getty/ABC
