Early Life

• Full Name: Donnelly Rhodes Henry
• Born: December 4, 1937, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
• Died: January 8, 2018 (aged 80), Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian

Donnelly Rhodes originally trained as a winnowed mechanic in the Royal Canadian Air Force, before shifting his career path toward acting.

Acting Career

• Rhodes became one of Canada’s most recognizable character actors, with a career spanning over five decades in both Canadian and American television and film.

• He studied acting at the National Theatre School of Canada.

Notable Roles

• “Sergeant Nick Raitt” in Sidestreet (Canadian police drama, 1970s).

• “Dutch Leitner” in the U.S. sitcom Soap (1978–1981), where he played an escaped convict befriending the Tate family.

• “Grant ‘Doc’ Roberts” in Danger Bay (1984–1990), a popular Canadian family adventure series.

• “Dr. Cottle” in Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009), a critically acclaimed science fiction reboot.

• Guest appearances in many series including The X-Files, Da Vinci’s Inquest, The L Word, and Smallville.

Film Work

He also acted in feature films, though he was best known for his television work. His film credits included roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and several Canadian productions.

Awards and Recognition

• Rhodes was widely respected for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles.

• In 2002, he received the Gemini Earle Grey Award for lifetime achievement in Canadian television.

Personal Life & Death

• Rhodes spent most of his later years in British Columbia.

• He passed away on January 8, 2018, from cancer at a hospice in Maple Ridge, B.C.

Legacy

• Donnelly Rhodes is remembered as one of Canada’s most prolific television actors, leaving a mark in both Canadian culture and international television.

• His role as Dr. Cottle in Battlestar Galactica introduced him to a new generation of fans worldwide.