Ronald Rich
Encyclopedia
Ronald Rich is a British supporting player best known for his role as Hans, the personal bodyguard of Ernst Stavro Blofeld
in the 1967 James Bond
film, You Only Live Twice
. His 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) frame dwarfed even the 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Sean Connery
during their confrontation in Blofeld's lair.
Rich has also appeared twice in Doctor Who
, first in The Time Meddler
(1965), where he played 'Gunnar the Giant' (a Viking
warrior), and next in Mission to the Unknown
(also 1965). There is much speculation as to the name of Rich's character - he is the giant alien delegate in translucent costume and white helmet reportedly called 'Trantis', but when the alien delegates reappeared in the subsequent The Daleks' Master Plan
, 'Trantis' is now played by Roy Evans who resembles the dwarf-like alien played by Johnnie Clayton in Mission to the Unknown. This is most likely a continuity error but as the story is now lost the confusion continues.
Other film appearances include Alfie
(1966), alongside Michael Caine
; and opposite Leslie Phillips
in Doctor in Clover
(1967).
He also appeared in a 1968 episode of The Benny Hill Show
.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Ernst Stavro Blofeld is a fictional character and a supervillain from the James Bond series of novels and films, who was created by Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory. An evil genius with aspirations of world domination, he is the archenemy of the British Secret Service agent James Bond and is arguably...
in the 1967 James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film, You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice (film)
You Only Live Twice is the fifth spy film in the James Bond series, and the fifth to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film's screenplay was written by Roald Dahl, and loosely based on Ian Fleming's 1964 novel of the same name...
. His 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) frame dwarfed even the 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
during their confrontation in Blofeld's lair.
Rich has also appeared twice in Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, first in The Time Meddler
The Time Meddler
The Time Meddler is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 3 July to 24 July 1965...
(1965), where he played 'Gunnar the Giant' (a Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
warrior), and next in Mission to the Unknown
Mission to the Unknown
"Mission to the Unknown", sometimes known as "Dalek Cutaway", is an episode in the television series Doctor Who. It is a standalone episode, serving as an introduction to the 12 part story The Daleks' Master Plan...
(also 1965). There is much speculation as to the name of Rich's character - he is the giant alien delegate in translucent costume and white helmet reportedly called 'Trantis', but when the alien delegates reappeared in the subsequent The Daleks' Master Plan
The Daleks' Master Plan
The Daleks' Master Plan is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The twelve episodes were aired from 13 November 1965 to 29 January 1966...
, 'Trantis' is now played by Roy Evans who resembles the dwarf-like alien played by Johnnie Clayton in Mission to the Unknown. This is most likely a continuity error but as the story is now lost the confusion continues.
Other film appearances include Alfie
Alfie
Alfie is a 1966 British film directed by Lewis Gilbert, starring Michael Caine. It is an adaptation by Bill Naughton of his own novel and play of the same name. The film was released by Paramount Pictures....
(1966), alongside Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
; and opposite Leslie Phillips
Leslie Phillips
Leslie Samuel Phillips, CBE is an English actor with a highly recognisable upper class accent. Originally known for his work as a comedy actor, Phillips subsequently made the transition to character roles.-Early life:...
in Doctor in Clover
Doctor in Clover
Doctor in Clover is a British comedy film released in 1966, starring Leslie Phillips. The film is based on the novel by Richard Gordon.The film was shot in Carnaby Street, Wormwood Scrubs and Pinewood Studios.-Synopsis:...
(1967).
He also appeared in a 1968 episode of The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill.There were various incarnations of the show between 1951 and 1991, and it aired in over 140 countries. The show is generally sketch-based with heavy use of slapstick, mime, parody and double-entendre...
.