Obi Ndefo was an actor known on TV for his performances as Bodie Wells on “Dawson’s Creek” and Rak’nor on “Stargate SG-1.”
- Died: August 28, 2024 (Who else died on August 28?)
- Details of death: Died of complications from an eating disorder at the age of 51.
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Obi Ndefo’s legacy
After studying drama at Yale, Ndefo broke out with a role on the popular teen drama “Dawson’s Creek.” A bit older than the TV show’s young leads, he played Bodie Wells, the chef at Leery’s Fresh Fish in the fictional seaside town in Massachusetts where it was set. Ndefo appeared in 10 episodes across the show’s six-season run. Another memorable recurring role of his came in “Stargate SG-1,” where he played Rak’nor, one of the figures in the Jaffa rebellion.
Ndefo had roles in two “Star Trek” series, playing Drex in “Deep Space Nine” and Protector in “Voyager.” His other TV appearances included “The Wayans Bros.,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Angel,” “NYPD Blue,” and “The West Wing.”
In 2019, Ndefo was severely injured in a hit-and-run car accident. He lost both legs above the knee. A yoga teacher before the accident, Ndefo returned to teaching just months after the accident. He had one acting role in the years afterward, a 2021 spot on “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
Notable quote
“When I saw how [the accident] impacted so many people, it gave me rejuvenated purpose as a storyteller and a teacher.”— from a 2020 interview for YaleNews
Tributes to Obi Ndefo
Full obituary: Entertainment Weekly
