Sci-Fi Storm

The man who turned a conniving lizard-like alien into a heroic character, Andreas Katsulas, died yesterday of lung cancer at the age of 59. Katsulas played the Narn Regime ambassador G’Kar on Babylon 5, as well as various guest roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Enterprise, along with film roles such as the one-armed man in The Fugitive. Update: JMS had some good words for Andreas – Read More to read. Update 2/17: There is an excellent tribute video from Z-Team, the ones who did trhe B5 music videos among other things…

JMS wrote in rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated:

Just over a year ago, Andreas Katsulas — who loved smoking with a
passion that cannot be described — was diagnosed with lung cancer,
which by then had already spread to other areas. He quit smoking at
once and went on a healthy diet and vitamin program, but there was little hope of a good resolution even though the new regimen was very
good for him. When we spoke about it, he laughed, and said, “Now that
I’m dying I’ve never felt better!”

His spirits were always up and positive, putting everyone at ease about his condition, because…well, that’s the kind of person he was.

A couple of months ago, he and his wife convened a dinner with me,
Doug, and Peter Jurasik, which was filled with laughter and stories and good food. He wanted to know all the stories we never told him
because, as he said, “Who am I going to tell?” So we did. Because we
knew we were saying goodbye, and there would not be a second chance.

Last night, in the company of his wife and family, Andreas closed his
eyes and went away.

He lived an amazing life…full of travel and wonder and good
work…was part of the world renowned Peter Brook company…he saw the
planet, loved and was loved, ate at great restaurants, smoked too many
cigarettes…he lived a life some people would die for.

And, sadly, due to the last part of that equation…he did.

Memorial arrangements are still being worked out, but will doubtless be private.

Andreas is gone…and G’Kar with him, because no one else can ever play that role, or ever will.

I will miss him terribly.

J. Michael Straczynski