TV LEGEND DIES Shane Rimmer dead – Voice of Thunderbirds’ Scott Tracy dies aged 89
The actor also starred in several hit films including The Spy Who Loved Me, Gandhi and Batman Begins
The Sun
By TariqTahir
March 29, 2019
The Canadian-born actor emigrated to the UK in the late 1950s and performed as a cabaret singer before landing his role in Thunderbirds.
Rimmer appeared in over 100 films including the hits Dr Strangelove, The Spy Who Loved Me, Star Wars, Gandhi, Out of Africa and Batman Begins.
But he is probably best known for playing Scott Tracy, the daring and suave pilot of Thunderbird 1, from 1964-66.
He had a long association with the show's producer Gerry Anderson and also provided uncredited voices for Anderson's later series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, Joe 90 and The Secret Service.
His collaboration with Anderson also included writing scripts for Thunderbirds and the producer's other series.
"It’s had a great history. I think Gerry Anderson hit his peak with Thunderbirds, Everything just came together," he said in a 2017 interview.
The Gerry Anderson fan website said: "We’re very sad to report that the legendary voice of Scott Tracy Shane Rimmer has died at the age of 89."
Comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar paid tribute saying: "His instantly recognisable voice always filled me with comfort, primarily as Scott Tracy in Thunderbirds but in any movie, Bond or otherwise, he popped up in."
'LEGENDARY VOICE'
Over the years, the actor made numerous appearances in the Bond films.
Apart from those playing recurring characters, Rimmer is the actor with the most Bond film appearances.
Expressing surprise at the number of times he appeared he said: "That was crazy. I have no idea how it happened."
Rimmer also appeared in Coronation Street twice - playing Joe Donnelli from 1968 - 70 and Malcolm Reid in 1988.
He made appearance in a Dr Who episode called 'The Gunfighters' alongside Peter Cushing as The Doctor.
Rimmer's other work included radio and stage plays as well as forays into writing.
He is survived by his widow Sheila, their sons and grandchildren.
RIMMER, Shane
Born: 5/28/1929, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: 3/29/2019, England, U.K.
Shane Rimmer’s westerns – actor:
Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (TV) – 1957 (Farber)
Flaming Frontier – 1958 (Running Bear)
Doctor Who: The Gunfighters (TV) – 1966 (Seth Harper)