[Lateralus]

I know there are a good number of Babylon 5 fans on this board, so I figured this news was worth posting;

From ISNnews.net;
Everyone who has seen BABYLON 5 mourns the passing of Andreas Katsulas. He brought G'Kar to life for each and everyone of us. Despite being under pounds of make-up, Andreas made us care about G'Kar. We watched the character evolve from a man of war to a spiritual leader -- the transition was not only a masterful display of writing skills -- but a true measure of the acting skills of Andreas Katsulas. He was a very private, quiet gentleman who loved to laugh. The jokes he and Peter Jurasik played on JMS are legendary. He will be greatly missed. His family is in our hearts and prayers.

Andreas Katsulas died Feb. 13 of lung cancer in Los Angeles, his agent, Donna Massetti, confirmed to SCI FI Wire. He was 59. Katsulas, a longtime resident of Los Angeles, played the Narn ambassador G'Kar for five years in the syndicated cult TV series BABYLON 5, starting in 1993. He reprised the role in subsequent Babylon 5 telefilms. Katsulas was also no stranger to Trek fans, playing Romulan Cmdr. Tomalak in Star Trek: The Next Generation. His last appearance in a Trek series was as a Vissian captain on an episode of Enterprise. Born in St. Louis, Katsulas held a master's degree in theater from Indiana University, his official Web site said. After performing in plays in St. Louis, New York and Boston, he went on to film roles in such movies as Michael Cimino's The Sicilian, which brought him to Los Angeles, then in Ridley Scott's Someone to Watch Over Me and Blake Edward's Sunset. Katsulas moved to Los Angeles permanently in 1986 and found scores of television and film parts in everything from TV's Alien Nation and Max Headroom to the big screen's The Fugitive, in which he played the infamous one-armed man, and Executive Decision opposite Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal. Information on memorial services was pending at press time

As many of you probably know, the passing of Andreas marks the second passing of a major Babylon 5 cast member in recent months, with Richard Biggs having died suddenly last year.

Andreas' death strikes me particularly. He was a phenominal actor and his protrayal of G'Kar was very powerful, and one of the main reasons I am such a big fan of the series.

[Spliff]

RIP



Here's what JMS wrote:

Subject: Andreas Katsulas is gone

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

[Dakar]

Goodbye Commander Tomalak.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Dakar

Goodbye Commander Tomalak.

I was going to say the same thing. Scary how many star Trek actors were on B5.

[Scotttheking]

I saw that ST episode a few weeks ago, and after a little pondering, realized it was the same guy. It was spooky for a minute while I couldn't figure out why he seemed so familiar. Must, watch, more, B5.

*goes to sleep*

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Scotttheking

I saw that ST episode a few weeks ago, and after a little pondering, realized it was the same guy. It was spooky for a minute while I couldn't figure out why he seemed so familiar. Must, watch, more, B5.

*goes to sleep*

He had a great voice.

He also did a great job of playing the bastard in the Fugitive.

[wdlove]

My prayers are with the family and friends of Andreas Katsulas. May he rest in peace.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

I was going to say the same thing. Scary how many star Trek actors were on B5.

Enlighten me.

All I remember was Bill Mumy was on Lost in Space.

[Y3a]

Patricia Tallman(Lyta Alexander-Vorlon modified Telepath) was a renegade on ST-TNG
Walter Koenig(Alfred Bester the Psi-Cop) was Chekov onb ST-TOS
Robin Sachs - many aliens in both shows(also the bad guy Sarris in Galaxy Quest)
Dwight Schultz too.

LINKY of all the actors in B5:

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/reference/cast.shtml

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Y3a

Patricia Tallman(Lyta Alexander-Vorlon modified Telepath) was a renegade on ST-TNG
Walter Koenig(Alfred Bester the Psi-Cop) was Chekov onb ST-TOS
Robin Sachs - many aliens in both shows(also the bad guy Sarris in Galaxy Quest)
Dwight Schultz too.

LINKY of all the actors in B5:

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/reference/cast.shtml

Well, I thought we were talking regular cast members, of which only Tallman applies.

[Y3a]

Pat Tallman was only in years 2-5, and the pilot. Tamalak wasn't a regular cast member in ST either.

The point is that a LOT of folks played on BOTH shows.

[Dakar]

True. Type-casting goes for extras too.

Side note: The other night I saw Tuvok playing the role of a secret service agent on Murphy Brown. Good for a laugh. Especially considering his acting style was exactly the same as if his character was Tuvok.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Y3a

Pat Tallman was only in years 2-5, and the pilot. Tamalak wasn't a regular cast member in ST either.

The point is that a LOT of folks played on BOTH shows.

Ya but they were on Star Trek first.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by Dakar

All I remember was Bill Mumy was on Lost in Space.

Bill Mumy did a guest spot on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in the Episode "The Siege of AR-558."

[Dakar]

Nog lost he leg in that one.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Dakar

Nog lost he leg in that one.

Careful, you are going to out-nerd me.

[Dakar]

It's possible, but I peaked around '96, when I was watching 2 TNG syndications per day while keeping up with DS9.

That's not to say I'm not still good now. But that's like saying MJ was still good at 40.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Well I hope you are watching Battlestar. I makes Star Trek look like ass.

[Dakar]

Too many shows require watching them in order anymore. Frankly the only show I don't miss is The Shield.

I did catch some of the BSG mini-series and thought it was good. I can't stand the actress who plays the prez though.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Dakar

I did catch some of the BSG mini-series and thought it was good. I can't stand the actress who plays the prez though.

She is pretty much the whole reason I watch it

[Dakar]

Edward James Olmos would be my reason. But then I'd keep expecting him to send out Tubbs & Crocket as boarding parties.