Obi Ndefo Dies: ‘Dawson’s Creek’ & ‘Stargate SG-1’ Actor Was 51

Obi Ndefo Dies: ‘Dawson’s Creek’ & ‘Stargate SG-1’ Actor Was 51

Obi Ndefo, the actor known for his roles in Dawson’s Creek and Stargate SG-1 has died. He was 51.

The actor’s sister Nkem Ndefo announced her brother’s death Saturday night on Facebook with a throwback photo of herself and Obi. A cause of death has not yet been released.

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“Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother, and knowing he’s finally at peace,” wrote Nkem in the post.

Ndefo’s death comes five years after he lost both his legs in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles. He had since been focused on his health and recovery, remaining active as a yoga teacher over the years.

“This is just so horrendous what happened to me — why would I compound this by feeling bad about it?” he told the Los Angeles Times of his outlook after the accident.

From left: Obi Ndefo, Michael Dorn and J.G. Hertzler in <em>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</em> (Everett Collection)
From left: Obi Ndefo, Michael Dorn and J.G. Hertzler in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Everett Collection)

After graduating from Yale University’s drama school, Obi began acting in various TV roles on episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Wayans Bros., The Jamie Foxx Show and 3rd Rock from the Sun.

The actor’s most memorable performance came as Bodie Wells, the brother-in-law to Katie Holmes‘ Joey Potter on Dawson’s Creek, a role in which he appeared from 1998 to 2002. His co-star Mary-Margaret Humes shared a tribute to Instagram after Obi’s death.

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‘These words don’t come easy,” she captioned the post. “It’s hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend. You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life’s challenges of recent. I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior.”

Obi’s other credits include episodes of Angel, Star Trek: Voyager, Crossing Jordan, NYPD Blue, The West Wing and NCIS: Los Angeles. The actor also founded the non-profit Arts Alliance for Humanity, which supports arts education in public schools and communities.

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