RIP Michael O’Hare

Two days late : Actor Michael  O’Hare  suffered a heart attack on September 23 and had remained in a coma until the 28th, when he died. He was 60. His death was first posted by Babylon 5 creator , J. Michael Straczynski posted on his Facebook page. Born in Chicago, Illinois he attended Harvard University (where he majored in English literature) and studied at the prestigious Juilliard School of Drama, as well as with Sanford Meisner. O’Hare appeared in a number of theatrical productions on Broadway and in the New York area, including an acclaimed revival of Shaw’s Man and Superman with Philip Bosco and the role of Col. Jessup in the original stage version of A Few Good Men (the role played by Jack Nicholson in the film version).

He was the first white actor nominated by the black theater community of New York for the AUDELCO Award for the Best Actor for his performance in the play “Shades of Brown” which examined the effects of apartheid in South Africa.

In 1992, he was cast in the lead role of Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, the character he is most known for, in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. O’Hare remained with the series for one full season; both he and series producer J. Michael Straczynski said the decision for the character to depart was mutual and amicable. O’Hare subsequently reprised the character in season two as well as in a two-episode guest appearance in season three, enabling the show to complete the character arc. He appeared on a range of television shows, including Kate & AllieThe EqualizerTales from the DarksideThe Cosby Mysteries, and Law & Order.

RIP Michael O’Hare (May 6, 1952 – September 28, 2012)