Stargate SG-1 actor Cliff Simon has died, according to news posted by wife on his Facebook page. The actor was killed in a kiteboarding accident at Topanga Beach in Malibu, California on Tuesday.
A native of South Africa, Simon played the fan-favorite Goa’uld System Lord Baal on Stargate SG-1. After his introduction in the fifth-season episode “Summit” in 2002 he went on to appear in a total of 15 episodes of the show, and to co-star in the 2008 movie Stargate: Continuum.
Simon was an avid outdoorsman and athlete, and recently hosted the Into the Unknown for Travel Channel.
Simon’s television credits also include NCIS, Castle, Days of Our Lives, 24, and more.
He was an actor and so much more, his wife Colette wrote: “a true original, an adventurer, a sailor, swimmer, dancer, actor, author. There is a gaping hole where he once stood on this earth. He was loved by too many to mention and had a great impact on so many lives. He was an amazing and much loved brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.”
“A small saving grace to this tragedy is that he was doing one of the things he loved most and passed away on the beach near the water, which was his temple.”
He was also a man who loved his fans, and was actively engaged with them on social media and through regular convention appearances around the globe.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Simon and his family immigrated to the United Kingdom when he was 15 years old. As a young man he trained in swimming with the goal of competing in the 1984 Olympic Games — but chose to leave his swimming career behind and return to South Africa. There he joined the Air Force, and later began a career as a performer when he joined a resort stage show. He studied drama and began modeling, and soon he and his wife moved to the United States to continue pursuing his acting career.
He fulfilled a personal dream of becoming an American citizen in 2005.
Simon’s long career has spanned stage and television, film, non-fiction writing, and a self-help audio release.
His family has asked for privacy during this time of grief.
GateWorld had the pleasure of interviewing Cliff Simon about his work six times over the years, including this in-person conversation in California in 2009, following the success of Stargate: Continuum.
Cliff Simon was set to appear with host David Read on “Dial the Gate,” GateWorld’s live interview show this weekend, on March 14. Instead we hope fans will join us on Sunday for a special conversation remembering his work on Stargate and celebrating his life.
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Tragic. RIP.
Damn. Top bloke.
did he actually die? because I can't find the information from ANY reliable source whatsoever
His wife posted the news to his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cliffsp/posts/10208176652289566
yeah, I am not on facebook so I can't see that... but I read it on some shady website and it looked fake af
We wouldn't post it on GateWorld if it wasn't credible.
Suanne Braun also confirmed it on Twitter. I can't believe it - I was just casually checking online to see what's up before going to bed and came across this, such a huge shock, I couldn't believe what I was reading.
No!! He's not dead. Bring him back!! Please, bring him back!!!
Have you tried? I have no problem viewing that individual page without logging in. A pop up comes up when I go to the link saying I can see more from Cliff by logging in, but if I click "Not Now" it goes away and the full post is visible. If you're having problems with it, I can repost the whole thing for you, but basically it starts thusly...
"To Friends, family and fans,
It is with unimaginable heartbreak that I am sharing with you, that my beloved husband, Cliff Simon, passed away at 12:30pm on Tuesday March 9, 2021. He was at Topanga Beach, California and sadly passed away after a tragic kiteboarding accident."
The quotes in this article were taken from the rest of it, and it ends with the beach photo of Cliff that was reposted above.
R.I.P Cliff Simon, (Baal). My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends! ?
I am in complete shock. I can't believe it :( . Such an amazing person and actor. I have always loved his interviews. Incredibly sad :(
Rip Cliff Simon.
Very sad. Talented and charismatic dude. RIP.
He’ll be back for the season finale. Baal always manages to cheat death, or one of his clones will.
definitely a good actor, really loved him on SG-1.
Geez, despite i saw Cliff Simon only on SG-1 he was very talented actor. I agree that nobody else coulve played Ba`al any better than him.
Even though i havent had any opportunity to see him in real live im sure than he was a good man. Condolences to all his family in this tough time. Its always hard to miss the loved ones. Cliff, you will be remembered! Rest in Peace, you will be missed down here!
My deepest sympathies to Cliffs family and friends x