‘Stargate SG-1’ actor Cliff Simon dies in kiteboarding accident

Actor Cliff Simon, who played the villain Ba’al on the “Stargate SG1″ television series, died in a kiteboarding accident Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 58.

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The accident took place at Topanga Beach, according to Simon’s wife, Collette, who announced his death on the actor’s Facebook page.

“He was at Topanga Beach, California, and sadly passed away after a tragic kiteboarding accident,” she wrote. “He was known to most of you on this page as the villain you loved to hate, Ba’al, from ‘Stargate SG-1.’ But as he said, ‘acting is what I do, it’s only a part of who I am.’

“And he was so much more -- 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.”

Simon was born on Sept. 7, 1962, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He competed in swimming and gymnastics, and competed in the Olympic swimming trials for the United Kingdom, Variety reported. After returning to South Africa, Simon enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17, the BBC reported.

Born in South Africa, Simon competed in both swimming and gymnastics. After moving to Britain, he competed in Olympic trials in swimming, but then decided to return to South Africa, where he enlisted in the Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, Simon found work teaching windsurfing and water-skiing as a resort, where he was recruited to join a stage show. He performed around the world as a gymnast, then became a dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. He wrote a book based on his experiences, called “Paris Nights: My Year at the Moulin Rouge.”

Simon also played roles in the South African television series, “Egoli -- Place of Gold,” before moving to Hollywood, Variety reported. After a guest spot on “Nash Bridges,” he landed the role of “Ba’al,” staying on the show for five seasons.

Simon reprised his role for the 2008 Stargate SG1 movie, “Continuum,” the magazine reported.

He also had guest-starring roles on “Castle,” “NCIS,” “The Americans,” “Days of Our Lives” and “24,” according to Variety.

In 2020 Simon narrated the Travel Channel series “Into The Unknown,” the BBC reported.

Cox Media Group