By Izola 
On February 7, 2017, Richard Hatch passed away. He had been battling pancreatic cancer. Hatch is best known for his role as Captain Apollo in the series Battlestar Gallactica from 1978-1979. He later appeared in the remake playing Tom Zarek. He was 71 years old.nnI received the following release and I know many of you will be interested in it.n
Golden Globe Nominated Actor Richard Hatch, who passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 after a short and sudden battle with pancreatic cancer, had just recently completed filming a starring role in the independent feature film DIMINUENDO in Los Angeles, CA.nnFirst-time feature director Bryn Pryor was present with Hatch’s family at the actor’s side when he passed. Pryor bonded with Hatch during the 2015 production of COWBOYS & ENGINES, a short Pryor directed that starred Hatch and veteran actor Malcolm McDowell.nnPryor had been working around the clock to finish a first cut of DIMINUENDO to screen for Hatch. “This movie was incredibly important to Richard,” said Pryor. “He was afraid he wouldn’t live to see the film.”nnPryor and the film’s producers had been planning a screening for Hatch that would have taken place in late February, but when his health declined, they managed to screen it for him on a tablet in his final days.nnAccording to Pryor, “Richard is brilliant in the film. It’s his best work ever. He didn’t miss a single beat. If Richard’s not talking on-screen, his eyes are. He’s made this little movie of ours incredible, and I miss him so much.”nnSince Hatch’s passing Tuesday, several of the DIMINUENDO cast members have reached out about an informal memorial.nnAs a tribute, the producers have decided to move forward with the February 28th screening that was planned for Hatch. The Los Angeles event will be a private screening exclusively for cast, crew and extended friends & family only. Many of Hatch’s former co-stars over the years have been quietly confirming their attendance. The film itself will likely premiere at a film festival in late summer/early fall, to be followed by a release date that has yet to be set.nn“Richard wanted this movie seen. It was vital to him,” said Pryor. “He said, ‘This is the last thing I’ll be remembered for. Get it out there,’ so we have to do that.”nnIN addition to the screening, Hatch asked Pryor to release a few of his favorite scenes from the film when he was gone. The first of these features Richard, CHLOE DYKSTRA, LEAH CAIRNS, PETER JAMES SMITH and YAN NIKITA GUO, and introduces the uncanny, robotic LifeDoll that mimics Chloe’s character, Cello Shea.nnThe preview scene can be found at the film’s website, www.DiminuendoMovie.com
n nnI may not be able to make the screening, but I do plan on seeing it as soon as possible. RIP Richard Hatch. You will be missed.