Post by B5Erik on Aug 16, 2015 1:35:14 GMT
The contributions of Andreas Katsulas to Babylon 5 cannot be overstated.
His performances as G'Kar are among the very best performances ever on television - broadast, cable, or otherwise. Had he given performances like those in a straight drama (not Science Fiction) he would have won at least three Emmys for his work. Watching Katsulas breathe life into G'Kar is simply breathtaking when you watch the series an episode or two a day until you reach the end. Even watching single episodes out of order and out of context is still amazing, but in order? In context? Words really cannot adequately express just how impressive and entertaining Katsulas was when he got into make-up (including the red eyes) and costume.
Fellow Narn and red eye contact lens wearer Marshall Teague has stated that getting in to that make-up (particularly for Teague the red eyes) really helped them get into character.
Now, truth be told, Andreas Katsulas was a great actor, in Narn make-up or in street clothes. But put him in that make-up, put those red contacts in, and put him in those costumes and he became something even greater - a force of nature.
Hyperbole? Some people might think so.
Some people would be wrong.
Watch Katsulas go from the brash, angry, vengeance motivated Ambassador from the recently freed Narn homeworld in the first season to the thoughtful, understated philosopher of the fourth and fifth seasons and try not to be impressed. Then watch as the bold, larger than life character melds with the quieter character as situations call for it. Watch Katsulas chew scenery without being hammy. Watch him BECOME G'Kar.
Honestly, I can't think of a better set of performances from a single actor in the entire history of television. Katsulas made it seem right and made it seem natural. Katsulas gave G'Kar depth. He gave him reality. And considering that Katsulas was playing an alien in a Science Fiction TV series that's all the more impressive.
And when he got going when the scenes called for it, when G'Kar went on a rant (angry, happy, frustrated, whatever) it is like watching a hurricane or a tornado. Or, on occasion, an earthquake. Truly a force of nature.
On the flip side, when he was quiet, when G'Kar was philosophical and thoughtful, it was like a beautiful piece of classical music. It was like introspective, clever poetry.
And when Katsulas died we lost one of the great actors of his generation. Sadly, only fans of Babylon 5 and some of his peers know it.
There is something even more poignant when watching Katsulas play G'Kar since his passing in 2006. There is great joy and enjoyment in watching those episodes now, but there is also a touch of sadness knowing that we will never again see Andreas Katsulas get into character (any character) like that again.
Hurricane Andreas blew through the world of Babylon 5 for six years and left his mark for decades to come. My life has been richer and happier because of the work he did and the performances he gave. I'm sure that a lot of people feel that way.
His performances as G'Kar are among the very best performances ever on television - broadast, cable, or otherwise. Had he given performances like those in a straight drama (not Science Fiction) he would have won at least three Emmys for his work. Watching Katsulas breathe life into G'Kar is simply breathtaking when you watch the series an episode or two a day until you reach the end. Even watching single episodes out of order and out of context is still amazing, but in order? In context? Words really cannot adequately express just how impressive and entertaining Katsulas was when he got into make-up (including the red eyes) and costume.
Fellow Narn and red eye contact lens wearer Marshall Teague has stated that getting in to that make-up (particularly for Teague the red eyes) really helped them get into character.
Now, truth be told, Andreas Katsulas was a great actor, in Narn make-up or in street clothes. But put him in that make-up, put those red contacts in, and put him in those costumes and he became something even greater - a force of nature.
Hyperbole? Some people might think so.
Some people would be wrong.
Watch Katsulas go from the brash, angry, vengeance motivated Ambassador from the recently freed Narn homeworld in the first season to the thoughtful, understated philosopher of the fourth and fifth seasons and try not to be impressed. Then watch as the bold, larger than life character melds with the quieter character as situations call for it. Watch Katsulas chew scenery without being hammy. Watch him BECOME G'Kar.
Honestly, I can't think of a better set of performances from a single actor in the entire history of television. Katsulas made it seem right and made it seem natural. Katsulas gave G'Kar depth. He gave him reality. And considering that Katsulas was playing an alien in a Science Fiction TV series that's all the more impressive.
And when he got going when the scenes called for it, when G'Kar went on a rant (angry, happy, frustrated, whatever) it is like watching a hurricane or a tornado. Or, on occasion, an earthquake. Truly a force of nature.
On the flip side, when he was quiet, when G'Kar was philosophical and thoughtful, it was like a beautiful piece of classical music. It was like introspective, clever poetry.
And when Katsulas died we lost one of the great actors of his generation. Sadly, only fans of Babylon 5 and some of his peers know it.
There is something even more poignant when watching Katsulas play G'Kar since his passing in 2006. There is great joy and enjoyment in watching those episodes now, but there is also a touch of sadness knowing that we will never again see Andreas Katsulas get into character (any character) like that again.
Hurricane Andreas blew through the world of Babylon 5 for six years and left his mark for decades to come. My life has been richer and happier because of the work he did and the performances he gave. I'm sure that a lot of people feel that way.
Attachments:
