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.
Career Rich has appeared twice in the Doctor Who serial The Time Meddler (1965), where he played 'Gunnar the Giant', a huge Viking warrior. He also appeared in the Doctor Who episode Mission to the Unknown (also 1965). Rich appeared in The Lance Percival Show (1965). He appeared in Doctor in Clover (1965) as a student doctor. Other film appearances include Alfie (1966), alongside Michael Caine.
In You Only Live Twice (1967) Ronald Rich plays Hans, the huge Aryan personal bodyguard of Dr. Blofeld, who remains behind when Blofeld flees from his hideout in a volcano. James Bond and Hans fight on a bridge over a pool full of Piranhas. After a missed punch Bond flips Hans over his shoulder into the pool, remarking "Bon appetit!". Esquire Magazine ranked Hans #41 in the list of James Bond Villains, saying, "As a character, Hans doesn't offer much. As an obstacle, he's terrific. The actor and stuntman Joe Robinson coached Sean Connery in judo for the fight scene, and acted as double for Ronald Rich. Lewis Gilbert directed Rich in both Alfie and You Only Live Twice.
Filmography Title Year Role NotesDoctor in Clover1966Student DoctorUncreditedAlfie1966Big Man in PubUncreditedYou Only Live Twice1967Hans, Blofeld's Bodyguard
+ Television shows Show Year Episode Role Director Notes # The Lance Percival Show 1965 Episode #1.4 Doctor Who 1965 "The Watcher" Gunnar the Giant Douglas Camfield Uncredited Doctor Who 1965 "The Meddling Monk" Gunnar the Giant Douglas Camfield Doctor Who 1965 "Mission to the Unknown" Trantis Derek Martinus Uncredited The Benny Hill Show 1968 Episode #8.2 Various roles Credited as Ron Rich B and B 1968 Roger The Man (final appearance) IMDb – Ronald Rich, Filmography
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