OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

B5 actor Richard Biggs has died

POSTED BY: HORRID
UPDATED: Thursday, June 24, 2004 16:42
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 10998
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Sunday, May 23, 2004 4:08 AM

HORRID


from a post from J. Michael Straczynski

I was awakened today with several phone calls from cast members and Doug to
pass along the terrible news that this morning, Richard Biggs passed away.

We're still gathering information, so take none of this as firm word, but what
seems to have happened, happened quickly. He woke up, got up out of bed...and
went down. The paramedics who showed up suggested it was either an aneurysm or
a massive stroke.

His family members have been informed, and all of the the cast have, as far as
we can determine, also been informed.

This is a terrible loss for all of us. Richard was a consummate professional
but more than that he was an honorable, stand-up guy. If he gave you his word
on something, you never had to wonder about it afterward. He was always
helpful and supportive of all the cast, even those who only came in for one
episode, always with a ready smile and determined to do whatever it took to
make the scene work. He was, quite simply, a terrific guy, and everyone here
is just devastated at the news.

More word as this develops. We may try to have some kind of fund raiser to
help give whatever assistance may be helpful for his kids.

We all miss him terribly.

jms


This is Very sad news indeed


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Sunday, May 23, 2004 4:14 AM

XENARC


I got this email this morning, but am still waiting to believe it's true until it hits news sources, since none of them are reporting anything yet. If it is true than we will have lost not only a talented actor, but from all accounts, a wonderful person.

XenArc

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Sunday, May 23, 2004 4:40 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


This is very sad news, especially considering that he was eleven years younger than me.



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Sunday, May 23, 2004 6:19 AM

HUMBLE


R.B. was a great actor. As a fan of B5, I am saddened by his passing. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

HUMBLE.

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Sunday, May 23, 2004 12:27 PM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


Just read the news myself - what a shock. Didn't know him other than the fact that for 10 years he was Stephen Franklin on my favourite show.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends, he will be missed.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Sunday, May 23, 2004 12:33 PM

HIPEOPLE


This is horible! I read it over at ISN, and I first thought it was a joke

Judgeing by some peoples discribtions, I always thought Rick was a good guy,, not just an excellet acter....Doesn't he have childreen too?

He was only 43


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Sunday, May 23, 2004 12:43 PM

SOUTHERNMERC


Man, this sucks. Sorry that I can't put it more eloquently, but that's how I feel. I remember Biggs being on one of my mom's soap operas back in the day, and then seeing him on B5 thinking "Hey, that's cool, he's out of the soap business and into a good show." He had alot of charisma on-screen, and from everything I've seen about him, he was a nice guy IRL. Pour a shot and have drink to remember one of the good ones.

Jayne: "See, Vera? You get dressed up, you get taken someplace fun!"

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Saturday, May 29, 2004 2:37 PM

UFO


Sad news.

What's almost as sad is that there are 13X more posts from people bitching about Enterprise than recoginzing Richard Biggs' work on one of the best SF shows ever.

Is this because no one here has watched the entire 5 year story arc of B5, or that people get off on arguing?

*back to lurk mode*

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Saturday, May 29, 2004 5:02 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


Quote:

Originally posted by UFO:
Sad news.

What's almost as sad is that there are 13X more posts from people bitching about Enterprise than recoginzing Richard Biggs' work on one of the best SF shows ever.

Is this because no one here has watched the entire 5 year story arc of B5, or that people get off on arguing?

*back to lurk mode*


Unfortunately you are correct about the arguing thing, UFO, but that is not anything special to this board. It's the same on just about every other message board I visit, and that's quite a few.




wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Sunday, May 30, 2004 6:45 AM

IDEFIX


that sounds like a plan, so maybe we should all post, just to make sure the numbers reflect the severity.

I don't usually post when I don't have something new or let's say worthy in my humble opinion to add, so I wasn't posting here. but then I wasn't posting on the Enterprise thread either because I'm not getting off on arguing. so here it goes...

I liked the character of Stephen Franklin and I think Richard Biggs was one of the really really good looking guys on this world but unfortunately I didn't know him personally so I can't say anything intelligent about his character. if there is a new B5 project I will really miss him, B5 won't be B5 without him. and I will always enjoy his work whenever I watch my B5 DVDs. and of course he was much too young to die and I wish all the best to his friends and family in this sad time.

Idefix

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Sunday, May 30, 2004 11:40 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


I've seen the news of this in a number of places - oddly it made the teletext over here, when B5 really isn't on the radar - clearly a fan group must have pestered them on this.

There also seems to be a storm a'brewin' on ain't it cool news - can't really shed light as I must have missed the period when what sounds like an ill-judged flippant comment was posted - can't see any reference on the site at the moment.

A quiet bump...

"I threw up on your bed"

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Sunday, May 30, 2004 12:25 PM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


Not sure about you, Misguided, but I believe B5 is most definitely still on the radar of quite a few discerning SF fans. For me it was the best until Firefly came along.

I did not see the notice at AICN either, but from what I read on a jms newsfeed it was apparently a very brief mention that was perceived as insensitive by some, and when complaints were made about it by talk-backers, the notice was removed rather than changed.

I just hope Rick is having a nice Walkabout.



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Sunday, May 30, 2004 2:26 PM

PEACE


Quote:

Originally posted by UFO:
Sad news.

What's almost as sad is that there are 13X more posts from people bitching about Enterprise than recoginzing Richard Biggs' work on one of the best SF shows ever.

Is this because no one here has watched the entire 5 year story arc of B5, or that people get off on arguing?

*back to lurk mode*



This board is a sunny paradise compared to some others-- try Aint It Cool News-- if somebody isn't accusing somebody else of some unnatural crime within five posts on a Talkback, it's good day.

This news re: R.B. is mightily depressing-- he was a very strong part of B5.

Oh, bugger! Now I have to wait for someone to wake up!

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Tuesday, June 1, 2004 11:35 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


Quote:

Originally posted by ecgordon:
Not sure about you, Misguided, but I believe B5 is most definitely still on the radar of quite a few discerning SF fans. For me it was the best until Firefly came along.



An excuse to bump caused by my own lack of clarity - more meaning "on the radar" of the general public - they get Star Trek, X Files, Buffy maybe, but mention B5 or Firefly and, well, not so much.



"I threw up on your bed"

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Wednesday, June 2, 2004 4:04 AM

MRSKBORG


Having been a B5 fan from the start, it was without doubt one of the best sci fi shows of recent years, the news of Richard Biggs death fills me with great sadness. His was one of my favourite characters and I also thought his acting abilities were great. He will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.

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Wednesday, June 2, 2004 4:19 AM

NUR


I didn't know him at all, I was only a fan but my condolences to his family and all those who knew him.

I believe in remembering good things at times like these and I remembe seeing an interview with him on Space. It was regarding the difference between sci-fi and soap fans. He was incredibly animated and looked to be genuinely having a good time as he acted out a soap fan running up to him and squeeling while wanting to simultaneously take his picture, get his autograph, and get a strand of his hair. He then calmly mimed clapping someone on the shoulder, gave a solem nodd and said "good job man." That was the closest I ever came to knowing Richard Biggs, but he will be missed.


O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous.
-Qur'an 26:83

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Wednesday, June 2, 2004 4:26 AM

BLEYDDYN


Dr. Franklin was one of my least favorite B5 characters, despite which I think Mr. Biggs did a great job portraying him and any future B5 productions just won't be same without him.

For whatever the condolences of a complete stranger may be worth, I give mine to his family and friends.

--Bleyddyn

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Wednesday, June 2, 2004 6:14 AM

JOHNCLARK


I was just shocked when I first heard about this. - My sympathies are with his family

---------------------------------------------
Experience has taught me that interest begets expectation, and expectation begets disappointment, so the key to avoiding disappointment is to avoid interest. A=B=C=A, or whatever

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Saturday, June 5, 2004 9:06 AM

HIPEOPLE


Well B5 might have almost gotten back on the radar with some new project JMS was cooking up....but that may be off

I didn't care mnch for Franklen untill season 4, he was still a brillent guy, with very young childreen and a wife too...man this sucks...

I didn't expect so many sites to be talking about it though...

"Why ya'll order a dead guy for?"

"I think you have a problem with your brain being missing...sir"

"Faith manages."

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Saturday, June 5, 2004 9:06 AM

HIPEOPLE


Well B5 might have almost gotten back on the radar with some new project JMS was cooking up....but that may be off

I didn't care mnch for Franklen untill season 4, he was still a brillent guy, with very young childreen and a wife too...man this sucks...

I didn't expect so many sites to be talking about it though...

"Why ya'll order a dead guy for?"

"I think you have a problem with your brain being missing...sir"

"Faith manages."

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Saturday, June 5, 2004 9:07 AM

HIPEOPLE


Well B5 might have almost gotten back on the radar with some new project JMS was cooking up....but that may be off

I didn't care mnch for Franklen untill season 4, he was still a brillent guy, with very young childreen and a wife too...man this sucks...

I didn't expect so many sites to be talking about it though...

"Why ya'll order a dead guy for?"

"I think you have a problem with your brain being missing...sir"

"Faith manages."

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Saturday, June 5, 2004 3:40 PM

FORRESTWOLF


My wife and I are watching the series again as we buy the DVD's. We're up to Season 3, when Dr. Franklin realizes his addiction to stims and leaves. As he said goodbye to the captain, and turned to go (as far as we knew when watching the show way back when, for good), I couldn't help but realize the similarities to the news. It's a sad day indeed.

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Sunday, June 6, 2004 11:31 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


Quote:

Originally posted by Forrestwolf:
My wife and I are watching the series again as we buy the DVD's. We're up to Season 3, when Dr. Franklin realizes his addiction to stims and leaves. As he said goodbye to the captain, and turned to go (as far as we knew when watching the show way back when, for good), I couldn't help but realize the similarities to the news. It's a sad day indeed.



Only recently watched Shadow Dancing again myself - where Franklin finally finds himself, an idea which was only carried off by the superb acting of Richard Biggs.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Monday, June 7, 2004 3:21 AM

DYAIRVATREE


I haven't posted here for a while but when I heard the news a little while ago I came here fast as I could. Richard Biggs was an amazing actor his work as Steven Franklin will not be soon forgoten. It just blows my mind he could be dead and at such a young age when he had so much more to do.

Anyway Richard Biggs will be missed I don't know what else to say.

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Monday, June 7, 2004 4:04 AM

DYAIRVATREE

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Monday, June 7, 2004 4:31 AM

DYAIRVATREE


bump

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Monday, June 7, 2004 11:31 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


Quote:

Originally posted by dyairvatree:
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20040525094309990012



Any chance you can post the story? Seems to be in a members area - with proper attribution of the source of course. Thanks.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Monday, June 7, 2004 4:02 PM

DYAIRVATREE


Misguied by Voices if you use my link it should work just fine the story is by CNN. The link you used must have been copied before I realized my link was broken and then fixed it. Use my link in the above post it should work now.

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Monday, June 7, 2004 4:13 PM

DYAIRVATREE


If you still have a problem just post and I will type it out for you.

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Thursday, June 10, 2004 11:43 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


Quote:

Originally posted by dyairvatree:
If you still have a problem just post and I will type it out for you.



Managed to read it, thanks.

and bump.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Thursday, June 10, 2004 3:31 PM

DYAIRVATREE


Here is the article I posted a link to.

Babylon 5 actor dies

AOL News/CNN

Richard Biggs,who played Dr. Steven Franklin on "Babylon 5" and also had a long run on the soap opera "Days of our lives," Died Saturday. He was 44 according to the actors website.

A posting on a "Babylon 5" message board by J.Micheal Straczynaki, the sci-fi shows creator, said the cause of death has not been determined but that "paramedics who showed up at the scene suggested it was either an aneurysm or a massive stroke."

Biggs,a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Theatre, gained his first major exposure as Dr.Marcus Hunter on "Days of our Lives." He was on the NBC show for five years.

He also appeared on Lifetime's "Any Day Now" and "Strong Medicine" Most recently he played Clayton Boudreaux on the CBS soap opera "Guiding Light."

"Babylon 5" fans and staff were shocked by his passing.

"Richard was a consummate professional,but more than that he was an honorable stand up guy" Straczynski wrote in his posting. "He was quite simply a terrific guy, and everyone here is just devastated at the news."

Biggs is survived by his wife,Lori Gerber,and two sons.

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Friday, June 11, 2004 4:33 PM

ROCKETJOCK


Quote:

Originally posted by UFO:
Sad news.

What's almost as sad is that there are 13X more posts from people bitching about Enterprise than recoginzing Richard Biggs' work on one of the best SF shows ever.



Hey, I think it's more because, well, what can you say except "He's dead? Oh, that sucks."

Which I just said.

Now to prove myself wrong; B5 was, and is, one of the greatest SF shows ever, and Biggs' contribution was no small part of it. His character wasn't one of the major movers or shakers of B5 the way Garibaldi or Sheridan were, but he was a consistent and sturdy presence in the ensemble.
I recall his gradual descent into drug addiction, which lead up to the "Walkabout" story arc; his amusingly rough-edged relatonship with Marcus Cole ("This is the kind of conversation that can only end with a gunshot."), and the way he Sherlocked down Garibaldi's attempt at smuggling Italian Food onto the station. (I have a Jones for Bagna Caldo to this day due to that episode.)

He was a good, solid actor, and he will be missed.

"You can't enslave a free man. The most you can do is kill him." -- Robert A. Heinlein

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Monday, June 14, 2004 11:42 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


JMS just posted briefly on the funeral, attended by all of Richard's colleagues and friends, including the vast majority of the B5 cast.

I'll post on the other news elsewhere.

"I threw up on your bed"

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Thursday, June 24, 2004 4:42 PM

KALATHENA


I am just finding this out now. Wow. I had no idea. That was the same week that I watched the episode he did commentary for on the Season 3 dvds.

How very very sad and very very young.

Goddess keep him until he returns to us.

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