Dawson's Creek icon dies aged 51 as her heartbroken co-stars pay tribute | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

The entertainment world is mourning the death of Dawson's Creek actor Obi Ndefo, who has died at the age of 51, his sister confirmed. He is best known for his role as Bodie Wells in the hit series, in which he starred alongside notable actors such as James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes.

Obi's sister, Nkem Ndefo, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, saying: “I am heartbroken over the loss of my younger brother and know that he has finally found peace.”

The cause of death was not disclosed, but the tragedy followed a serious accident in August 2019 when Obi was hit by a car, resulting in the amputation of both legs. His acting career began in 1995 with a guest appearance on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and he subsequently appeared in shows such as The Jamie Foxx Show, Behind the Moon, Crossing Jordan, The West Wing and Stargate SG-1.

He was last seen as an actor in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles in 2021.

In “Dawson's Creek,” Obi played Bodie, a chef who enters into a romantic relationship with Bessie Potter (played by Nina Repeta), which leads to the two settling in Capeside and having a son, Alexander, reports OK!

Condolences poured in from Obi's former Dawson's Creek co-stars, including Mary-Margaret Humes, who played Gale Leery, Bodie's on-screen mother. She expressed her grief on Instagram: “These words are not easy for me to say. I find it hard to comprehend that you have left us, my dear friend. You were and always will be a shining light,” she lamented.

“What an example of pure, unfiltered love and tenacity you have been as you have faced life's challenges of late. I will cherish all of our messages of love and support for one another over the past few years. Rest in peace, sweet warrior.”

In her touching tribute, Mary-Margaret reminisced, sharing a video of Obi alongside her co-stars Katie Holmes, James Van Der Beek and Joshua Jackson, as well as a nostalgic selfie with him.

Obi had already spoken about the tragic loss of his legs in an interview with the LA Times in 2019. After teaching a yoga class, he was loading groceries into his car when a speeding SUV hit him.

“What happened to me is just so terrible. Why should I make it worse by feeling bad about it?” he wondered during the interview.

Despite the tragedy, Obi did not hold “the slightest resentment” toward the hit-and-run driver. He expressed his determination to succeed in life, comparing himself to a “I couldn't live in this world without becoming an Olympic athlete in some ways, you know – in terms of kindness and health – because there's no other choice for me,” he added. “So I'm strict in some ways, and I'm like, 'OK, my legs are severed. I don't know how to do this, but I know how to do this.'”