‘Stargate SG-1’ Star Cliff Simon Dies In Kiteboarding Accident At 58

Actor Cliff Simon, known for playing Ba’al on Stargate SG-1, died in a kiteboarding accident on Tuesday on Topanga Beach in Los Angeles at age 58.

His wife, Collette Simon, confirmed the news with a post on his Facebook page.

“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,” she wrote. “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.”

She continued saying that she is facing unimaginable heartbreak after losing the love of her life.

“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. I know this is a shock and will hit hard but we hope you can respect our need for privacy at this time,” she said.

Simon was born in South Africa and competed in swimming and gymnastics as a child. He eventually moved to Britain and competed in the Olympic trials for swimming. While he qualified for the British International Olympic team in 1984, he never competed in the games. Instead chose to move back to South Africa and join the Air Force.

After leaving the Air Force, he taught windsurfing and waterskiing at a resort before becoming a performer and dancer. He was a dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris and later wrote a book about his experience titled Paris Nights: My Year at the Moulin Rouge.

He landed a role in the South African soap opera Egoli – Place of Gold in 1992. He went on to appear alongside Don Johnson on ‘Nash Bridges, which led to his recurring guest role as Ba’al in Stargate SG-1. He returned to the role for the 2008 Stargate SG-1 movie, Continuum.

Simon also guest starred on Castle, NCIS, The Americans, Days of Our Lives, Criminal Minds and 24.