Richard “Ringo” Langly was born circa 1968/69 and grew up on a farm in Saltville, Nebraska. He showed an aptitude for computers from an early age, which was frowned upon by his parents. In 1989 he met Melvin Frohike and John Fitzgerald Byers at a consumer electronics show in Baltimore, and subsequently they formed a group publishing The Lone Gunmen newsletter. Langly wears thick black-rimmed glasses, heavy metal and punk T-shirts (favouring The Ramones in particular) and jeans. He has long, blond hair (which sometimes leads to him being mistaken for a girl) and bears a striking resemblance to Garth Algar from Wayne's World. He idolizes Joey Ramone in particular.

He is The Lone Gunmen’s expert in computers, hacking and programming. He is possibly the most paranoid of the Gunmen, taping all incoming phone calls, including those from Fox Mulder. All three of the Lone Gunmen died in the X-Files episode Jump the Shark, sacrificing themselves to save thousands from a terrorist created plague by using fire doors to seal themselves in a closed hallway with the man carrying the plague. Walter Skinner pulled some strings and arranged for them to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery as tribute to their brave deeds.