Obi Ndefo, who was known for his work on Dawson's Creek and Stargate SG-1 died at 51 on Thursday, August 28, 2024. In 2019, Ndefo lost both legs in a hit-and-run accident. Additionally, he struggled with orthorexia for quite some time, and it was reported that his "heart gave out" eventually.
His sister, Nkem Ndefo, announced his death on social media on August 31, 2024. She revealed that her heart was torn between tears and relief that her brother was finally at peace.
"As his family, we share this news to bring attention to orthorexia’s severity and in the hopes that those suffering from this devastating disease receive the compassionate care they deserve," she wrote on X.
Known for roles such as Bodie Wells in Dawson's Creek and Rak'nor in Stargate SG-1, his ability to adapt to roles had endeared him to fans.
After his accident in 2019, he became an inspiration to many. Ndefo remade what could have become a life of debilitating defeat into one of recovery and activism.
Obi Ndefo’s acting career and roles
Ndefo began his acting career in the late 1990s, and to date, he is best known for playing the role of Bodie Wells on Dawson's Creek. His character was the boyfriend of Joey Potter's older sister, Bessie.
Another success, more specifically in science fiction, was the role of Rak'nor in the series Stargate SG-1. This Jaffa warrior, which he played from 2000 to 2005, showcased his range. His appearances made him popular among space drama fans.
Among other work, Ndefo appeared in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The West Wing, and 3rd Rock from the Sun. He graduated from Yale University, earning a BA in 1994 and an MFA in 1997 in drama.
Obi Ndefo overcame tragedy and advocated for awareness
In 2019, he was struck by a speeding vehicle in Los Angeles outside a natural foods store as he was unloading groceries from his car and the driver fled the scene.
Ndefo had been resilient and spoke about his determination not to get bogged down. He returned to yoga and used his experiences to motivate others who may have faced similar life-changing incidents. He continued with acting projects, one of which was Juice Bar.
It was a TV pilot he had been working on before the accident which actually required the depiction of a double amputee.
Dawson's Creek is on Hulu and HBO Max, whereas Stargate SG-1 can be found on Amazon Prime Video.
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