SCI FI PI

Richard Hatch is the ultimate Sci Fi fan’s ultimate Sci Fi hero. He lives and breathes Sci Fi like a fan in a way that not many other actors can claim. Originally achieving world wide fame as the original Apollo on the original Battlestar Galactica, he has returned to Sci Fi superstardom with his pivotal and acclaimed role as Tom Zarek on the new Battlestar Galactica, generally regarded as the finest Sci Fi series ever made.

But in the years that separated the two, he was a one man band playing the ‘bring back Battlestar’ tune, followed by die-hard fans, and then, as time wore on, a burgeoning internet following. It’s hard to imagine a time before Ron Moore’s new BSG blew us all out of the water, but during that time, Richard Hatch WAS Battlestar.

In talks with all sorts of TV execs and directors and producers (including, of all people, Bryan Singer), Hatch had to watch his baby reborn by strangers. Initial hostility turned to synergy as he returned to BSG in the role of Tom Zarek, the ex-terrorist who becomes a political thorn for Adama and President Roslin, ultimately leading a coup attempt.

The years in the wilderness had not been unproductive. Hatch had many irons in the fire besides Battlestar Galactica, including a space opera called The Great War of Magellan, which has a trailer strongly received by Sci Fi fans. He’s also written many Battlestar Galactica novels, and has more recently turned to teaching – acting, and fascinatingly, life. Having won it all, lost it all, and won it all back again, his is a story of the getting of wisdom that most people rarely achieve.

Grab a cup of coffee, and behold the raw truth that is Richard Hatch:



Hatch is active on the convention circuit, but also hosts his own seminars, courses and cruises.


How was your recent trip cruising in Alaska?
It was absolutely stunning, so believe it or not, warm, unlike I hear it is down in Sydney.

The icebergs, the snowcapped mountains, the fjords we were sailing - it’s quite an experience. I did a lot of seminars, and private counselling. I do acting privates and life privates. Beyond acting I write and teach all over the country.

The journey from actor to guru is quite an interesting one. Can you tell us a bit more about it.

Well, being in the entertainment field is the acid test of the soul. All your greatest fears, hopes and dreams are magnified. These shatterings of soul, these consummate rejections – if you survive long enough, a career as actor will take you up down and around. A lot of people end up self-medicating through alcohol or drugs, or you find a more spiritual pursuit or philosophy.

As a child I was always asking deeper questions about life. Who are we, where do we come from? Getting into the business via an acting class that had a sign on the door ‘No Actin Please’. It was literally a class in life. It was the ‘method’, but for life, not just for acting. It was the Stanislawski Method of burrowing through all the walls, the denials, the fears, the insecurities, all the protections that we have to find a connection to your heart, your soul and spirit. Instead of trying to fit into the world by being somebody you’re not, which is based on self- abandonment.

Was there a particular defining moment that set you on this path?

I had been traumatised in 4th grade, ridiculed and shamed by a teacher who took an outgoing, humorous little boy and just made him pull back, pull in and close off, and that acting class, opened a doorway from this abyss that I was in, to find the light.

I never thought, though, that it would lead to an acting career. I just went there because a good friend took me along. I was just a surfer boy going to college. But I discovered my own self again, and I was able to feel my emotions again. I discovered that I had a joy in creating, and that lead to this path called acting.



The original Apollo. Hunkaspunk, ladeez!


What was it that brought you to teaching ‘life’, as it were?
Well, one day you’re earning a million dollars, the next day you’re three million dollars in debt. It really tests your soul. For me, it forced me to deal with everything in my life. You don’t get very far in this business without some kind of self evaluation. I started researching every healing modality, every philosophy, every religion, looking for answers to deal with the discomfort and sense of shame that I was carrying. I had to learn the hard way to find my way home. Acting became a healing thing for me, rather than a way to be famous and make a lot of money.

I was fortunate to achieve a level a notoriety and been able to pay the bills, but I’ve literally made millions and lost millions. I’ve seen the underbelly of life. I’ve fallen off a cliff and crawled my way back. I realized that we’re all capable of redemption, of picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off and achieving fulfilment in life.

That journey led me to now, where not only do I act, but I’m a teacher, I’m a writer, I write books, comics, novels, I’m developing things, not just waiting by the phone.
An artist needs to develop their business skills if they want to survive. If they let people ‘handle them’ they end up like children, unable to make those around them accountable.

I lost my money.

After Battlestar, all my money was taken by my management company.

I realised, that I shouldn’t be blaming people. I had shut my eyes, naively trusted people. We’re all human, we’re all flawed, we’re all capable of doing good things and bad things. We have to take responsibility for our own decisions, and we have to make those around us accountable, and keep our eyes open.

I teach that to people.

I also teach people about fear.

When I was a child, my sense of self worth was nominal. My mother remarried three times with stepfathers who basically hated me and my brother. In a sense it forced me to go within and follow a more spiritual path. I have gone through every religion and philosophy looking for peace.

So what do you actually teach now?
I teach other people not to follow my path – you have to be willing to explore, to take risks, you have to learn to find your own way. The question is – are you willing to find out what you’re capable of. What you really, truly want in your heart of hearts, rather than buying into what other people say you should do, or letting other people limit you and stop you based on their fears and insecurities. I challenge people to get connected to their own heart and gut.

And I have to walk the talk. I’m not a teacher talking from the mountain. I’m out there with fears and insecurities every day.

I remember walking onto the set of Battlestar Galactica. Actors will tell you this. Even if they’ve made millions of dollars, made tons of movies, that first day on a new set you feel like you can’t act, why is someone paying you this much money, there’s no way you can live up expectations. You truly deal with these terrors.

I’m not for making anybody wrong or telling people how to think. I just want them to think. Challenge themselves. Just have the faith to take the steps.



Arch enemies Tom Zarek and Lee Adama, or, if you like Apollo MkI, and Apollo Mk II.


Speaking of trials, tell us about the experience of being the man who held the torch of Battlestar Galactica alight for literally decades, almost single-handedly, only then to have it snatched away from you and, in a further twist, to be taken on board and be the living bridge between the two versions?

The ups and downs of my career have taught me to let go, let go, let go – and trust. I really had to learn that. Everything doesn’t always work out the way you think it should – and when it doesn’t, it usually means there’s something better for you. Learning to have trust and faith that life will work for you rather than against you if you allow it to. And that’s allowed me to let go of these disappointments – Battlestar wasn’t picked as a continuing series, I put a lot of time effort and money into a revival. Then, obviously I met Ron Moore, and realised there was more than one viable way to do it, and his vision was extraordinary. I still would love to do a continuation of the original series, I think that would be brilliant, but what I thought what Ron Moore did was brilliant.

I’ve learned to be more patient, see the larger picture and trust ! that life is not out to screw me. Sometimes things don’t work because they’re not meant to work. You’ve got to surrender what doesn’t work and open the door to new opportunities.

I’ve had to learn my lessons the hard way, and now I want to earn them the easy way! I think I’ve earned it. I’ve truly been to hell and back.

Battlestar is such a rarity. How often is a classic brought back in such a viable, brilliant way? Usually they screw it up. Here Ron Moore really understood the gut story of it.

I just share the hard-won wisdom. It’s been an amazing life. I don’t regret anything, because it gives me a compassion. I’m able to forgive.

Tell us about how this helped shape the role of Tom Zarek.

People say, you played such a good bad guy! First of all I wasn’t playing a bad guy, I really liked Tom Zarek. I honour him. I think he was an amazing person who had the courage to tell the truth when people didn’t want to hear it. He was the one person who stood up against the government, made them accountable, even though he was considered the bad guy for it. I think he did what he did for the right reasons, not out of some self-serving reasons, as some people have projected onto him.



Richard Hatch and Tricia Helfer - draping difficulties.


We interviewed Tricia Helfer a little while ago, and she told us about a scene where she draped herself all over you whilst you had to act and ignore her existence. How does one do that?
You don’t! Let me tell you. I had take after take where I had to try to ignore her and I would end up and freeze looking right into her eyes! I swear to god it was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. Tricia Helfer is beautiful, but when she’s one inch away from your face, it’s more than an ex- fighter pilot can take. It was honestly one of the hardest thing I had to take. She was so gracious. So genuine, down to earth. I love Tricia, she’s just a radiant human being – and quite sexy and hot.

Now that Battlestar Galactica is over, what’s coming up for you?
Well, I’ve got a new reality show – ‘Who The Frak is Richard Hatch?’ coming up next year, that goes into the Hollywood that most people have never seen.

Have you had any nibbles for The Great War of Magellan?
I have, I’ve been over to Technicolor, and I’m now dealing with a company who’s also interested in Magellan. The first Magellan novel is coming out next year, which we’re writing right now. Next year I’m doing a tour of the Mediterranean. You can find out the details at wwwrichardhatchcruise.com.

Richard Hatch can be seen live in Perth on July 4th and 5th at the Claremont Showgrounds.


Battlestar Galactica’s most intense experience, Razor, is coming up on Wednesday SCI FI on July 8 at 8.30pm and July 15 at 8.30pm. Don’t miss it!