ACTOR OBI NDEFO OF 'DAWSON’S CREEK' FAME PASSES AWAY AT 51 - VORAKA

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 02 September 2024 by Meghan Prentiss | www.vorakamag.com

Obi Ndefo, known for his role in "Dawson's Creek," has passed away at the age of 51.

The sad news was shared by his sister, Nkem Ndefo, in a Facebook post on Saturday.

"Heartbroken over the loss of my younger brother, yet finding solace in knowing he’s finally at peace," Nkem expressed.

She included a selfie of the two siblings smiling together.

Nkem did not disclose the cause of Obi’s death.

Obi, a drama graduate from Yale University, began his acting career with a role in a 1995 episode of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” as listed on his IMDb profile.

Throughout the following 25 years, Obi appeared in various television shows, including “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “Angel,” “Columbo,” “Crossing Jordan,” “NYPD Blue,” “The West Wing,” and “Stargate SG-1.”

He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Bodie Wells on “Dawson’s Creek” from 1998 to 2002. Bodie is a chef in Capeside who works alongside Dawson Leery’s (James Van Der Beek) mother, Gale Leery (Mary-Margaret Humes), at Leery’s Fresh Fish restaurant. He is romantically involved with Bessie Potter (Nina Repeta).

Mary-Margaret Humes, 70, paid her respects to Obi on Instagram Sunday, following the news of his passing.

“These words are difficult to find,” she wrote. “It’s hard to grasp that you’re no longer with us, my dear friend. You were, and will always be, a beacon of light. The way you faced life’s challenges with pure, unfiltered love and determination is truly inspiring.”

“I will treasure all our messages of love and support exchanged over the years,” she added. “Rest in peace, sweet warrior.”

Humes’ tribute was accompanied by a behind-the-scenes video of Obi on the set of the WB teen drama series.

Four years before his passing, Obi tragically lost both of his legs after being struck by a car while leaving a supermarket in Los Angeles.

The late actor was loading groceries into his car when an SUV hit him, severing his right leg. His left leg was later amputated at the hospital, as reported by the LA Times.

Dr. Milton Little, his surgeon, described Obi’s survival as “a miracle.”

In an interview with the LA Times, Obi reflected, “I couldn’t continue living without becoming something of an Olympic athlete in certain areas — like kindness and health — because, for me, there was no other option. So, there’s a certain discipline to my approach, and I think, ‘OK, my legs are gone. I don’t know how to do this, but I know how to move forward.’”

A GoFundMe campaign created for Obi after the accident raised over $287,000, which helped cover the costs of his prosthetic legs and other expenses.