Obi Ndefo, the face of the lively Bodie Wells in several seasons of Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 51.
His death was announced by his sister, Nkem Ndefo, on Saturday, August 31. She wrote on Facebook: “With a broken heart for the loss of my younger brother, but knowing that he is finally at peace.” Below the dedication, an old photo of her and Obi smiling.
Mary-Margaret Humes Remembers
The cause of Obi Ndefo’s death has not been revealed.
Shortly after the announcement of his passing, Mary-Margaret Humes, who acted alongside Obi in Dawson’s Creek, paid tribute to him on Instagram, sharing a clip featuring them together on set.
“Words don’t come easily to me,” she wrote. “It’s hard to accept that you have left us, my dear friend. You were and will always be a shining light.” And more: “What an example of pure love and tenacity you gave us, as you faced life’s challenges. I will cherish all our messages of love and support from the past years. Rest in peace, sweet warrior.”
The Career of Obi Ndefo
Born in 1973, Ndefo graduated from the Yale University School of Drama. He got his first role in 1995, appearing in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, followed by small roles in The Jamie Foxx Show, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Angel and Star Trek: Voyager.
In 1998, he joined the cast of Dawson’s Creek as Bodie, the chef who, together with Gale Leery (Humes), runs the Capeside bistro Leery’s Fresh Fish. Not only that, in the series, Bodie is also the boyfriend of Bessie Potter (Nina Repeta), the older sister of Joey Potter (Katie Holmes).
He later appeared in several episodes of NYPD Blue, The West Wing, and Stargate SG-1, and founded the non-profit organization Arts Alliance for Humanity based in Los Angeles, supporting arts education in public schools and communities.
Ndefo’s death comes several years after the tragic accident that, in 2019, forced doctors to amputate both of his legs. The actor was unloading groceries into his car in Los Angeles when a drunk driver rear-ended him, injuring him to the point where amputation was necessary to save his life. “What happened to me is just horrible,” he shared in an interview a few months later. “Why should I worsen my situation? Being positive was not a choice.”
After the accident, a GoFundMe campaign raised over $287,000, needed to cover the costs of his recovery and make his Silver Lake home more accessible.