Richard Biggs (B5's Dr.Franklin) has died....

[DR.MID-NITE]

Here is the info:

From: jmsatb5@aol.com (jms at b5)
Subject: today we lost richard biggs
To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Date: 5/22/2004 4:43:05 PM

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

(jmsatb5@aol.com)
(all message content (c) 2004 by synthetic worlds, ltd.,
permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine
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[Fone Bone]

Wow. That's awful. My prayers are with his family.

[Contrail]

I'm absolutely stunned; Richard Biggs was a wonderful actor (see his performance in the B5 episode 'Shadow Dancing'). My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

[shogunthethird]

Holy CRAP! I met him at a convention, hell we talked for like a half hour....dammit! how old was he? I mean geez! I'm....I'm just at a loss here!

[Delthayre]

I am saddened by Mr. Bigg's death at the all-too-early age of 43. Franklin, especially when in chemistry with Garibaldi, was a well-played character. I'm sure JMS and the cast are all rather hard-hit themselves, they struck me as rather tightly knit. For the fans, this means the loss of a fine character in any future B5 projects (novels and comics excepted), which is a loss, especially because of how well Franklin and Garibaldi's character worked together.

[DR.MID-NITE]

For the fans, this means the loss of a fine character in any future B5 projects (novels and comics excepted), which is a loss, especially because of how well Franklin and Garibaldi's character worked together.

This is even more true. JMS has said that a big B5 project is going to be announced anytime now. Word has it that it is going to be a theatrical B5 movie.

[James]

A great pity.

What is so shocking is just how fit he seemed. I remember meeting him at a con in '98. He was a big guy - over 6Ftm broad and well toned. He would go on big jogging sessions with Boxleitner (with Jason Carter gasping behind them) around Blackpool where the con was held. He just seemed so healthy.. always a shame when someone who takes care of their body dies of a health related condition.

I don't know the details, but I just recall how amazed I was at his physique - he was bigger than he looked on screen.. oh, and a good actor too.

Also had a great story about accidentally socking Shatner in the nose when he was working on TJ Hooker. He told it better than I ever could!