
Today science fiction fans around the world awoke to the tragic news of Mira Furlan’s death. Originally from Croatia. The actor who was 65 emigrated to America in 1992. Her big television break coming in 1994 when she got the role of a lifetime in the iconic Sci-Fi Drama Babylon 5.
News of Mira Furlan passing away broke earlier today when her family broke the news to the BBC. The actor had apparently been ill for some time with West Nile Virus. Furlan sadly died on Wednesday 20 January from complications due to the virus.
“It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of Mira Furlan” the statement read.
“She was a woman full of kindness, strength and compassion.”
It continued: “She died peacefully at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by her family.
“We will all continue to celebrate her life and legacy, and know she’ll always be here with us.”
Mira Furlan secured her status as a legend of Science Fiction television when she took the role of Ambassador Delenn on Babylon 5. The series, which came out in 1994 was a groundbreaking show that introduced viewers to the series-long story arc. In the series, Ambassador Delenn was a pivotal character on B5. Part diplomat and part philosopher. Delen was responsible for helping Captain Sheridon defeat the shadows and form an intergalactic union of planets.
Mira Furlan was brilliantly suited to this role and brought a strong stillness and dignity to it. But also an inner resolve that would not buckle under pressure.
After Babylon 5. The actor went on to play a series of other strong characters. One of which was the mysterious Danielle Rousseau in the hit series ‘Lost’.
Babylon 5 creator J Michael Straczynski described his “great sadness”, saying: “Our friend and comrade had gone down the road where we cannot reach her.”
We here at SciFiPulse.net share in the loss of this extraordinary talent. And think the following speech made by Furlan’s character of Delen on B5 feels very fitting in these difficult times.
“The molecules of your body are the same molecules that make up this station, and the nebula outside, that burn inside the stars themselves. We are starstuff. We are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out. And as we have both learned, sometimes the universe requires a change of perspective.”“The universe puts us into places where we can learn. They are never easy places, but they are right. Wherever we are is the right place and the right time. The pain that sometimes comes is part of the process of constantly being born.”