The late Andreas Katsulas by Gixxer

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

The late Andreas Katsulas

POSTED BY: GIXXER
UPDATED: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 17:23
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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 10:52 PM

A moment please.

Not to decry his other work, he always seemed to me to be the only actor who did the "humanoid alien wearing a ton of prosthetics" successfully.

Over the course of Babylon 5, his character managed the changes from irritating, arrogant, strident git, to really quite a reasonable guy, to tragedy, to unwilling spiritual leader, with complete conviction.

You always liked the character, who could be hilarious on occasion, yet able to conjure up a truly fearsome rage when provoked. An astonishing amount of acting got past that latex.

A good person to have on your side, and if you made an enemy of him, you were probably as well to save time and start digging the hole now.

Quite some time until we got any heroes that were comparably damned big.

Favourite moments?

I'll start with the King Arthur episode, which should have stank, but didn't.

The bit where Michael York was set upon, and because of his attitude, prompted a passing-by G'Kar to jump in on his side.

And Swedish Meatballs.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 3:49 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

Just read the news as well - he will be missed. I saw him at a convention years ago and he was so in awe of the way the audience reacted to him; I don't think he realised how central he was to the success of G'Kar as a character and to B5 as a whole.

In the end, the story was about G'Kar and Londo, and together with Peter Jurasik his performance raised the show at every turn.

I for one will be picking out some G'Kar-centric episodes and a fine whiskey to toast his memory this evening.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 4:21 AM

GRAYFURY

The one where hes trapped on the elevator with Londo, waiting for him to die.

"Smellin' alot of IF comin' offa' this plan!"

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 5:02 AM

THEREALME

He will be missed. I like the one where he warned the commander's girlfriend away from a system, then acted to save her when she didn't listen.

She: "Why did you help me?"

G'Kar (shrugs): "Why not?"

After her surprise, G'Kar: "Nobody on this station is exactly what they seem to be."

This was the first hint, I think, that G'Kar was something other than a thuggish nasty alien.

(Quotes are from 10-year-old memories, and may contain inaccuracies.)

TheRealMe, First Officer of the Sereni-Tree

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 5:25 AM

CYBERSNARK

Quote:
Originally posted by Gixxer:
Favourte moments?

I'll start with the King Arthur episode, which should have stank, but didn't.

The bit where Michael York was set upon, and because of his attitude, prompted a passing-by G'Kar to jump in on his side.

Still one of my favourite lines.

"We're not alone."
"That's all right--"
*leaps down from catwalk*
"Neither is he."

And that bit where he and Na'Toth were getting the bounty hunter off the station:

"You will know fear."
"And you will know pain."
"And you will know death."
"Have a pleasant flight!"

More chillingly, when he's being tortured, and Londo begs him (for his own sake) to scream, but he stays silent.

Then when one of the Narn rebels accuses G'Kar of not having suffered for their freedom, and G'Kar starts laughing.

When Dr. Franklin gave him his new eye, and he popped it out and started playing with it and making funny faces in the background.

Or that time one of his accolytes started getting pedantic about G'Kar's own book, and G'Kar politely told him to adopt a posture of reflection, resting his face on the pages. . . *SLAM*

The coffee stain in the Book of G'Kar, from when he lent it to Mr. Garibaldi.

Then there was all the chemistry with Londo.

Like when they were on Centauri Prime, and Londo dared that arrogant, stupid, paper-pusher to lock them up. Cut to them in the cell.

LONDO: . . . Shut up.
G'KAR (stifling laughter): I didn't say anything.

Good times. He will be missed.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:01 AM

OOKAMIKAWAHARA

Damn!!! The actor who played G'kar has passed away, where the fuck have I been. Does anyone have a link to the article? Yes he will be sourly missed!!! Rest in peace old friend, and will see you in the place where no shadows lie!!!!
Too many great moments, the actor brought depth and accent to G'kar's character and indeed helped raised the show to where it is!!!! Next drinks for you man, rest in peace!!
mata, Ookami yori

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:28 AM

REYNOLDSFAN34

I am a B5er first and foremost and I loved G'Kar with a passion, and loved Andreas too, this cuts me so deeply, no one here can know. I had the opportunity to meet him and more, he worked me into his act at a Con, and I have so many memories. The show and him mean so much. I will never forget the scene in the Council Chamber, when Narn has been attacked and taken by the Centauri, when G'Kar stands up and says, " Though it take a thousand years, we shall be free". I watched it last night, and lit candles next to the bust of G'Kar I am lucky to have,, and I am heartbroken.

We stand between the darkness and the light......and Someday I will see you in a place where no shadows fall. with my deepest love always.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:32 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

From jmsnews.com:

"Just over a year ago, Andreas Katsulas -- who loved smoking with a passion that cannot be described -- was diagnosed with lung cancer, which by then had already spread to other areas. He quit smoking at once and went on a healthy diet and vitamin program, but there was little hope of a good resolution even though the new regimen was very good for him. When we spoke about it, he laughed, and said, "Now that I'm dying I've never felt better!"

His spirits were always up and positive, putting everyone at ease about his condition, because...well, that's the kind of person he was.

A couple of months ago, he and his wife convened a dinner with me, Doug, and Peter Jurasik, which was filled with laughter and stories and good food. He wanted to know all the stories we never told him because, as he said, "Who am I going to tell?" So we did. Because we knew we were saying goodbye, and there would not be a second chance.

Last night, in the company of his wife and family, Andreas closed his eyes and went away.

He lived an amazing life...full of travel and wonder and good work...was part of the world renowned Peter Brook company...he saw the planet, loved and was loved, ate at great restaurants, smoked too many cigarettes...he lived a life some people would die for.

And, sadly, due to the last part of that equation...he did.

Memorial arrangements are still being worked out, but will doubtless be private.

Andreas is gone...and G'Kar with him, because no one else can ever play that role, or ever will.

I will miss him terribly.

J. Michael Straczynski"

Couldn't say it any better.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:56 AM

WOLF359

I hadn't heard this yet,when did it occur?

His Romulan character on Next Generation was a bit pointless and forced but his portrayl of G'Kar was fine!He and Peter Jurasik always played off of one another so well,and Andreas never went over the top with a character that a lot of actors probably would have done that with.
The only time I remember him playing a "human" was in the Harrison Ford version of the Fugitive.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 7:00 AM

MELG

The elevator scene with Londo was priceless! I laughed so hard the first time I saw that scene.

Under all that makeup and the red contact lenses was an actor who was able to bring forward a character of such depth based mainly on the strength of his voice. He will be greatly missed by all B5 fans.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 7:58 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES

The first time I saw the lift scene was a rough cut at a convention, and it had the room in tears of laughter.

I think it was the same convention that Andreas attended, where he read out the final speech from season 3, the voice over at the end of Z'Ha'Dum. He went behind the curtain and then G'Kar's voice rang out - sent chills down my spine.

Few actors can do that range, even fewer still can manage that caked in make-up that leaves only the eyes to act with.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 4:15 PM

ICANKILLYOUWITHMYBRAIN

I loved the Babylon 5 series. G'Kar was one of my most favorite characters. Andreas Katsulas will definitely be missed. He definately brought depth and character to that role. Despite all the prostetics, which can be somewhat overwhelming for an actor in their performance sometimes, he was incredible.

Yes, I would have to say my favorite scene was the elavator scene with Lando as well. It was hilarious!

"When you can't run anymore, you crawl, and when you can't do that...you find someone to carry you."-The Message

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 5:23 PM

PEULSAR5

We sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt.

I met him at a convention years ago (met!--it was an autograph line) and he was nothing if not courteous and respectful to everyone.

P.S. also LOVED the elevator scene!

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