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Battlestar Galactica star Richard 'Apollo' Hatch dies aged 71 after battle with cancer

Richard Hatch, the actor best known for the original Battlestar Galactica film and TV series, has died. He was 71.

The actor, who played Captain Apollo in the sci-fi classic as well as Tom Zarek in the rebooted Battlestar Galactica TV series, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, Hatch's son Paul said on Tuesday.

“In spite of significant roles in other series and motion pictures over the following decades, his connection with the original Battlestar as well as the remake created an international following among science fiction fans," Paul said in a statement on the actor’s website. 

"While continuing his acting career Richard was a popular figure at comic book conventions, science fiction forums and even hosted his own cruise ship events.”

Tributes poured in for Hatch, who also appeared in Dynasty, The Love Boat, Santa Barbara and Baywatch. 

"Richard Hatch was a good man, a gracious man, and a consummate professional. His passing is a heavy blow to the entire BSG family," tweeted Ronald D Moore, who developed the reboot.

Edward James Olmos, who also starred in the reboot, tweeted:

Hatch's last film will be Diminuendo, which is due for release later this year. Bryn Pryor, the film's director, said he wrote the role “to showcase his incredible talent in a way that had never been seen”.

"Richard knew he wasn't going to be around to see the finished film, but we were able to arrange for him to view the final cut, and I'm proud we could do that," he wrote.