The handsome Dirk Benedict played the roguish Lieutenant Starbuck in the original “Battlestar Galactica,” one of two Han Solo types in the series (the other was Captain Apollo, played by the late Richard Hatch). He was the drinker/gambler/smoker of the series, and the show’s most lighthearted.
Benedict was, of course, a mainstay in 1970s and 1980s television, having appeared in many of the hit shows of the day, including “Hawaii Five-O,” “Charlie’s Angels,” and “The Love Boat.” Prior to “Battlestar,” Benedict was one of the main cast members in the short-lived action series “Chopper One,” and would go on to play the dash-handsome Templeton “Faceman” Peck in the ultra-popular “The A-Team.” He would also turn up on “Murder, She Wrote,” “Baywatch,” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” There is a 100% chance you’ve seen Benedict in something.
Benedict has stayed connected to his two biggest roles, having provided his voice for a “Battlestar Galactica” video game in 2003, and having had a cameo in the 2010 “The A-Team” feature film. Prior to “Battlestar,” Benedict appeared in a few exciting B-movies, including the Twiggy thriller “W” and the reptile flick “Sssssss.”
