'Rest with the galactic stars!' George Takei and Dirk Benedict lead tributes to Battlestar Galactica's Richard Hatch who has died from cancer at 71

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 18:55 EST, 7 February 2017 | Updated: 20:03 EST, 7 February 2017

Richard Hatch who was best known for playing Captain Apollo on TV series Battlestar Galactica has died.

The actor was 71.

He passed away after battling pancreatic cancer, his family told TMZ Tuesday. He is survived by his son Paul. 

Hatch started his career in the daytime soap All My Children in 1970 and in 1978 landed the role in the original Battlestar Galactica that ran for one season and earned him a Golden Globe nomination. 

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Most celebrated role: Richard Hatch found fame and a cult fan following for his role as Captain Apollo in Battlestar Galactica that aired for one season in 1978-79

Most celebrated role: Richard Hatch found fame and a cult fan following for his role as Captain Apollo in Battlestar Galactica that aired for one season in 1978-79

R.I.P.: The actor passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 71, his family said Tuesday. He's pictured at Dragon Con in Atlanta this past September

R.I.P.: The actor passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 71, his family said Tuesday. He's pictured at Dragon Con in Atlanta this past September

His Battlestar Galactica co-star Dirk Benedict, who played Lt. Starbuck, said via Twitter that he was 'devastated.'

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard's family, friends, and fans,' the 71-year-old actor tweeted.

Star Trek's George Takei tweeted a picture of the actror and the message: 'Rest with the galactic stars.' 

Hatch co-starred with Dirk Benedict in the sci-fi show that won a cult following

Hatch co-starred with Dirk Benedict in the sci-fi show that won a cult following

Benedict, 71, expressed his sadness via Twitter after hearing of his former co-star's death

Benedict, 71, expressed his sadness via Twitter after hearing of his former co-star's death

Star Trek's George Takei also expressed his sadness with a touching tweet

Star Trek's George Takei also expressed his sadness with a touching tweet

Throughout his long career, Hatch remained devoted to Battlestar Galactica, writing three novels continuing on from the original series, THR.com reported. 

He was also a fixture at Comic-Con and Dragon-Con where he spoke about his ongoing movie and television projects and entertained fans with tales from the BSG set.

He once said, according to THR.com: 'In my case, Battlestar Galactica was a milestone. It afforded me the opportunity to live out my childhood dreams and fantasies.'

'Hurtling through space with reckless abandon, playing the dashing hero, battling Cylons, monsters and super-villains — what more could a man want?' 

Hatch accepted a role as Tom Zarek in the re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica that debuted in 2004 and ran for four seasons on the Sci-Fi Channel. He's pictured with co-star Jamie Bamber

Hatch accepted a role as Tom Zarek in the re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica that debuted in 2004 and ran for four seasons on the Sci-Fi Channel. He's pictured with co-star Jamie Bamber

Following BSG, Hatch went on to have roles in high-profile shows including The Love Boat, Baywatch, Dynasty and the soap Santa Barbara.

In 2004, he accepted the role of Tom Zarek in a re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell that aired for four seasons on the Syfy Channel.

Ronald Moore, who created the reboot, tweeted his sadness at the news of Hatch's death.

'Richard Hatch was a good man, a gracious man, and a consummate professional. His passing is a heavy blow to the entire BSG family,' he wrote. 

Hatch was working right up until his final illness, appearing at Dragon Con in Atlanta last September to talk about his new sci-fi film Diminuendo. 

Ronald D. Moore, who created the 2004 BSG reboot, paid tribute to Hatch with a heartfelt tweet

Ronald D. Moore, who created the 2004 BSG reboot, paid tribute to Hatch with a heartfelt tweet

BSG reboot star Edward James Olmos said in a tweet that Hatch had 'made our universe a bette rplace'

BSG reboot star Edward James Olmos said in a tweet that Hatch had 'made our universe a bette rplace'

Hatch, right, started out on daytime soap All My Children in 1970. He went on to have roles in several big television series including Baywatch,The Streets Of San Francisco and Dynasty

Hatch, right, started out on daytime soap All My Children in 1970. He went on to have roles in several big television series including Baywatch,The Streets Of San Francisco and Dynasty

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