Actor Obi Ndefo, best known for playing Brodie on TV show Dawson’s Creek, has died aged 51, last Wednesday (August 28).
News of Ndefo’s death was originally announced by his sister Nkem Ndefo on Facebook. Alongside a photo of the pair of siblings, she wrote:“Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he’s finally at peace .”
She also shared on Twitter today (September 2) that he died after his heart gave out in a longstanding battle against the eating disorder orthorexia.
Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he’s finally at peace
Posted by Nkem Ndefo on Saturday, August 31, 2024
Obi Ndefo passed away early Wednesday morning in a Los Angeles area hospital. Tragically, Obi’s heart gave out in his longstanding battle against the eating disorder orthorexia.
— Nkem Ndefo (@NdefoNkem) September 2, 2024
She added: “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 left a link to the National Eating Disorder Association for fans to leave a donation to in Obi’s name to further the research into autoimmunity diseases.
In 2019, the actor lost his legs in a hit-and-run incident while he was parked in a grocery store parking lot. Ndefo was unloading his shopping when an SUV veered out of its lane and crashed into him, which left both of his legs needing to be amputated.
Outside of his role in Dawson’s Creek, Ndefo is known for his roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Stargate SG-1.
According to an article in the LA Times, Ndefo was also a yoga teacher and founder of a nonprofit that works in the intersection of the arts and humanities. He viewed compassion and kindness to others as central tenets of his life.
Fans have been paying tribute to Ndefo online, for his work on Dawson’s Creek and elsewhere and his personal character and life. “So sad to hear the news of Obi Ndefo,” one user wrote. “Forever remember how inspiring he was in real life and his brilliant portrayal as Rak’nor.”
So sad to hear the news of Obi Ndefo, forever remember how inspiring he was in real life and his brilliant portrayal as Rak’nor.
Dawson’s Creek star dead at 51 – years after losing both legs in hit-and-run crash https://t.co/dTLtRuTiNo via https://t.co/5JuUyEVIPu pic.twitter.com/Y6d3W4BIwE
— Stargate Zone ᐰ (@StargateZone) September 1, 2024
Ndefo’s Dawson’s Creek co-star Katie Holmes posted a heartfelt tribute towards the late actor, and described him as “a kind man”. She reposted an Instagram reel dedicated to him on her Instagram story – the video is a montage which includes a clip of Ndefo and Holmes hugging in a kitchen.
The original reel was created by another Dawson’s Creek co-star, Mary-Margaret Humes, who starred as the mother Gail Leery in the show.
When Holmed reposted the video to her own story, she added the words: “He was wonderful to work with and such a kind man. I send prayers and grace to his family. Rest in Peace.”
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