Shane Rimmer

Scott Tracy in Thunderbirds

Prolific Canadian character actor Shane Rimmer has brought to life numerous colourful personalities during his six decades in the business, making appearances in such classics as Dr Strangelove, Star Wars, the original Superman films and, more recently, Batman Begins. However, it was lending his distinctly gravelly vocals to senior brother Scott Tracy in Gerry Anderson’s classic 1960s marionette TV series Thunderbirds that he is best remembered for. We spoke to Shane at his home in Potter’s Bar.

Would you like to play the role again?

Sure! I enjoyed doing it. The character had enough life in him and enough variation to make him pretty interesting. I’d be quite happy to do it again.

What’s the strangest request you’ve had from a fan?

I was once asked whether I had any mementos from Canada that I would like to pass on. I had a little fur piece – I think it was from a beaver, which was kind of a mascot for Canada.

Would any of scott tracy’s skills or attributes have been useful i n real life?

I think Scott was a pretty resourceful fellow and very alert. He seemed to be able to handle situations pretty well. Most things happened rather rapidly – they would be out basking in the sun then suddenly there was an emergency call and they would have to jump into their craft and away they would go!

I s there anything you think was unfinished about scott’s story?

No, I think they pretty well exhausted all of his resources.

Did you get any souvenirs from the set?

No, but I can’t tell you how many garbage cans I passed on the way out of recording sessions with discarded Thunderbirds parts and pieces!

anything from Thunderbirds you wish was real? I’ve been intrigued by all the space flights – I doubt that I would ever take the opportunity to go up in one though!

What would i t say on the character’s gravestone?

There was a great quote from Dorothy Walker, a writer for The New Yorker, and on her gravestone read: “Pardon my dust!”