Ronald Rich
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.
Career
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.
Selected Filmography
- Doctor in Clover (1966) - Student Doctor (uncredited)
- Alfie (1966) - Big Man in Pub (uncredited)
- You Only Live Twice (1967) - Hans, Blofeld's Bodyguard