Actor Obi Ndefo, famous for his portrayal of Bodie Wells in the hit TV show “Dawson’s Creek,” has passed away at age 51. His sister, Nkem Ndefo, confirmed his death via a Facebook post on August 31, 2024, where she shared a picture of her brother and expressed her sorrow.
“Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he’s finally at peace,” stated Nkem in her post. The cause of Obi Ndefo’s death has not been disclosed yet.
Ndefo’s death follows a critical hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles, California in 2019 that led to the amputation of both his legs. He was hit by a vehicle on August 17, 2019, while he was loading groceries into his car outside Erewhon Market. The accident caused severe injuries to his legs, one of which was severed at the accident and the other later amputated at a local hospital.
Obi Ndefo’s co-star from “Dawson’s Creek,” Mary-Margaret Humes, paid tribute to the actor on her Instagram account. In her post, she shared several videos of Ndefo and wrote, “These words don’t come easy 💔It’s hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend. You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life’s challenges of recent.”
After the 2019 accident, a GoFundMe campaign was started to help Ndefo with his medical bills and the cost of prosthetic legs. The fundraising campaign was quite successful, raising more than $287,000 to cover costs not covered by insurance.
Despite the catastrophic accident, Ndefo showed remarkable resilience. In a 2019 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he expressed his resolve to face the challenges ahead. “I couldn’t live in this world without becoming sort of like an Olympic athlete of certain things, you know — of kindness and of health — because there is no other choice for me,” said Ndefo. “So there’s a sort of rigor to me, and I think, ‘OK my legs are severed. I don’t know how to do this, but I know how to do this.'”
Emphasizing his strength, Ndefo returned to physical exercise just 36 days after his accident, concentrating on upper-body workouts, thus demonstrating his positive attitude despite adversity.
Prior to the accident, Ndefo was known for leading an active lifestyle, which he maintained despite losing his legs. He continued teaching yoga and was devoted to his personal health and fitness.
Besides his role on “Dawson’s Creek” from 1998 to 2002, Ndefo’s acting career included appearances in other well-known TV series such as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Stargate SG-1.” His diverse roles across various genres showcased his talent and versatility as an actor.
Ndefo also had a passion for arts education. He founded the non-profit Arts Alliance for Humanity, which provided support for arts education programs in public schools and communities, reflecting Ndefo’s commitment to fostering creativity in young people.
The driver involved in the 2019 hit-and-run, John Michael Maese, who was 25 at the time, was arrested a day after the incident. Maese faced charges including driving under the influence, exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit, and hit-and-run resulting in injury.
Following his accident, Ndefo continued to inspire many with his recovery journey and perseverance in pursuing his passions, including acting and writing. In 2021, he appeared in an episode of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” a testament to his determination to continue his craft despite his physical challenges.
At the time of his death, Ndefo was reportedly working on a new series titled “Dream Big,” a testament to his continuous commitment to his creative endeavors.
