Posted on 02/21/2006 8:38:59 PM PST by iPod Shuffle
Posted on Tue, Feb. 21, 2006
'Babylon 5' and 'Fugitive' star Andreas Katsulas, 59, dies
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Veteran character actor Andreas Katsulas, immortalized as imposing red-eyed alien ambassador G'Kar on television's "Babylon 5" and a one-armed murderer in the 1993 film "The Fugitive," has died of lung cancer. He was 59.
Katsulas, who had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments, died in his Los Angeles home Feb. 13, his agent Donna Massetti said Monday.
"He was a lovely and talented man, and we are deeply saddened. He will be missed," Massetti said.
Born May 18, 1946, in St. Louis, Katsulas earned a master's degree in theater at Indiana University.
He appeared in small roles in a handful of films before landing the part of a Greek immigrant in 1982's "King of America" and then a regular role that same year in the soap opera "Guiding Light."
He cemented his status as the actor to go to for villainous characters with his turn as mobster Joey Venza in Ridley Scott's "Someone to Watch Over Me" in 1987.
Katsulas donned a prosthetic device in 1993's "The Fugitive" to portray the murderous one-armed man Frederick Sykes, who frames Harrison Ford's Dr. Richard Kimble in the death of Kimble's wife.
But Katsulas' role as Narn ambassador G'Kar in the syndicated television series "Babylon 5" brought him the most attention.
Spending hours in heavy makeup, the actor played G'Kar as a diplomat whose hatred of Londo Mollari of the Centauri Republic became a central theme of the show. Later, G'Kar evolved into a spiritual leader.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
I really enjoyed his character in B5. Condolences to his family.
But Katsulas did a very good job as G'Kar.
Katsulas donned a prosthetic device in 1993's "The Fugitive" to portray the murderous one-armed man Frederick Sykes
WTF you have to wear someting to look like you lost something huh ?
That freaking sucks. Just D*mn.
I believe he also played a recurring Romulan character on Star Trek: TNG. Sad news.
Yeah, he played Commander Tomalok. Good character, good actor.
Actually this is a double posting...
Are you kidding me? Really?
;o)
That is so *SAD*!
Babylon 5 was a *GREAT* show, but the *BE FIVE* CD made by the cast (including Katsulas) was even *BETTER*!
From Sci-Fi Wire:
Andreas Katsulas, the character actor known to SF fans as G'Kar on Babylon 5 and a familiar face from Star Trek and other SF&F TV shows, 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. —Patrick Lee, News Editor
And there's also this, from J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5:
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
Hey Kevin, could you add me to the Sci-Fi Ping List? Thanks.
ping
Mollari was definatly the tragic character of the show, and both he and G'Kar were brought to life by superb acting!
They show that episode other day on SPIKE TV
OH MAN RIP G'Kar
Thanks...
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