Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Andreas Katsulas - G'Kar and the One-Armed Man - has passed away

The sad news is just now hitting the wires that Andreas Katsulas has died of lung cancer at the all-too-young age of 59.

Katsulas was a Shakesperean actor who appeared in performances all around the world. But what I'll never, ever forget about him was his portrayal of G'Kar, the Narn ambassador on the television series Babylon 5. Starting from the very first time I saw him in the role, all the way back when the pilot movie aired in February 1993, I was stunned at Katsulas's acting ability. G'Kar was one of the most multi-faceted characters to ever come out of sci-fi television - warrior, poet, philosopher, alien pervert, and then reluctant religious leader - and Katsulas poured every ounce of his passion into bringing him to life. G'Kar was the heart and soul of Babylon 5, especially with how he interacted with Peter Jurasik's character Londo Mollari. But even on his own terms, Katsulas's G'Kar was a force to be reckoned with.

You might also remember that it was Katsulas who played the One-Armed Man in the motion picture The Fugitive. I've always thought that Katsulas in that was one of the things that really helped make that movie so terrific.

And now, he's been taken from us, way too soon if you ask me. A few days ago it was Phil Brown, and now this.

In remembrance of Andreas Katsulas, tonight I'm going to put "The Coming of Shadows" episode of Babylon 5 into the DVD player. Can't think of a better way to honor his memory than to watch one of the best performances that he ever did.

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