Richard Lynch | |
---|---|
Born |
Richard Hugh Lynch February 12, 1940 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
Died | June 19, 2012 Yucca Valley, California, U.S. |
(aged 72)
Cause of death | Heart attack |
Nationality | American |
Other names | Richard H. Lynch |
Alma mater |
The Actors Studio, HB Studio |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1967 – 2012 |
Known for | Wolfe, Commander Xaviar |
Spouse(s) | Béatrix Lynch (19??-19??; divorced); 1 child Lily Lynch (?-?) |
Children | With Béatrix: Christopher Lynch (deceased) |
Family | Barry Lynch (brother) |
Awards | Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor (1982) |
Richard Lynch (February 12, 1940 – June 19, 2012) was an Irish-American actor best known for portraying villains in films and television.
His film credits included The Sword and the Sorcerer, Invasion USA, The Seven-Ups, Scarecrow, Little Nikita, Bad Dreams, God Told Me To, and Halloween. He appeared in science fiction productions, including Battlestar Galactica (as Wolfe) and its sequel series Galactica 1980 (as Commander Xaviar). He also appeared in such shows as Starsky and Hutch, Baretta, T. J. Hooker, Blue Thunder, Airwolf, The A-Team, Charmed and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Richard Hugh Lynch was born on February 12, 1940 (sometimes incorrectly cited as 1936) in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish Catholic parents. His younger brother is actor Barry Lynch. Lynch served in the United States Marine Corps for four years.
Lynch's distinct scarred appearance made him a popular nemesis, and he can be seen in more than 100 film and television performances. The scars came from a 1967 incident in New York's Central Park in which, under the influence of drugs, he set himself on fire, burning more than 70 percent of his body. He spent a year in recovery, quit drugs and ultimately began training at The Actors Studio and at the HB Studio. He often played a "heavy" in features, including Scarecrow, which marked his film debut, The Seven-Ups, Bad Dreams, and Little Nikita.