Stargate SG-1 actor Cliff Simon has died in a “tragic accident”, aged 58.
The South African actor, who played fan favourite character Lord Ba’al, was kiteboarding at Topanga beach in Malibu, California, when the incident occurred.
Simon first debuted in Stargate SG-1’s fifth season in 2001, appearing in a total of 15 episodes as well as the 2008 film Stargate: Continuum.
He was also an athlete and previously hosted his own adventure show called Into the Unknown for Travel Channel.
Paying tribute to Simon was his wife Colette, who hailed him as “a true original” when announcing the news on Facebook.
“There is a gaping hole where he once stood on this earth,” she wrote. “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.”
She continued: “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.”
His family have asked for privacy.
Martin trained as a swimmer and eventually joined the Air Force in South Africa. He moved to the United States to pursue a career in acting and appeared in shows including 24, NCIS: New Orleans and The Americans.
