Obi Ndefo, known for his role as Bodie Wells on the popular teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has passed away at the age of 51. He died on August 28, 2024, in a hospital in the Los Angeles area, as confirmed by his sister, Nkem Ndefo.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Nkem expressed her sorrow, saying, “Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he’s finally at peace.” She later shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Obi’s heart failed due to complications from his long-standing battle with orthorexia, an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with healthy eating.
Ndefo’s family hopes to raise awareness about orthorexia through their announcement. Nkem wrote, “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.”
Obi Ndefo gained fame for his role on Dawson’s Creek, where he portrayed the boyfriend of Joey Potter’s older sister, Bessie. He appeared on the show from 1998 to 2002. Ndefo also played Rak’nor, a Jaffa warrior, on Stargate SG-1 from 2000 to 2005 and made guest appearances on several other series, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Angel, and NYPD Blue.
In 2019, Ndefo suffered a life-altering hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles, where he lost both of his legs. While unloading groceries from his car, he was struck by a drunk driver. The impact resulted in the amputation of his right leg and severe injuries to his left leg.
Reflecting on the accident, Ndefo told the Los Angeles Times, “This is just so horrendous what happened to me, why would I compound this by feeling bad about it?” He maintained a positive outlook and continued to teach yoga while undergoing rehabilitation.
Ndefo graduated from Yale University, earning a BA in 1994 and an MFA in 1997. He was also the founder of the non-profit Arts Alliance for Humanity, which supports arts education in public schools.
His passing has prompted tributes from former co-stars, including Katie Holmes, who called him “wonderful to work with and such a kind man.” Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Gale Leery on Dawson’s Creek, expressed her grief, stating, “You always were and always will be a bright shining light.”
Obi Ndefo is survived by his sister, Nkem, and his family continues to advocate for awareness around eating disorders in his memory.
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