Richard Biggs -- 1960-2004 -- BABYLON 5

Richard Biggs
March 18, 1960 -- May 22, 2004

More information on Rick can be found at the links at the top and bottom of the page. Make sure you download or view the tribute video. (Windows users, right-click and download the file -- Save Target As....)

Here is information on the loss of Richard Biggs as given to us by JMS:

I was awakened today with several phone calls from cast members and Doug to pass along the terrible news that this morning, Richard Biggs passed away.

We're still gathering information, so take none of this as firm word, but what seems to have happened, happened quickly. He woke up, got up out of bed...and went down. The paramedics who showed up suggested it was either an aneurysm or a massive stroke.

His family members have been informed, and all of the the cast have, as far as we can determine, also been informed.

This is a terrible loss for all of us. Richard was a consummate professional but more than that he was an honorable, stand-up guy. If he gave you his word on something, you never had to wonder about it afterward. He was always helpful and supportive of all the cast, even those who only came in for one episode, always with a ready smile and determined to do whatever it took to make the scene work. He was, quite simply, a terrific guy, and everyone here is just devastated at the news.

More word as this develops. We may try to have some kind of fund raiser to help give whatever assistance may be helpful for his kids.

We all miss him terribly.
jms

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service for Rick will be held Wednesday, May 26, at 1 p.m. at Emmanual Lutheran Church, 6020 Radford, North Hollywood, CA.

MEMORIES OF RICK

Letters about Rick are being collected for a special memory box for his sons, RJ and Hunter. They can be sent to:

Mrs. Lori Biggs
c/o Patricia Tallman
6433 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA 91303

Notes and letters are also being collected at The Galactic Gateway forum. Go to http://www.thegalacticgateway.com/phpbb/ and post a note. Pat Tallman will be printing out the notes and taking them to the memorial service for the family.

MEMORIAL FUNDRAISING EFFORTS--

Pat Tallman will be conducting a memorial event at The Galactic Gateway, so please visit the website to post a note and to get current information.

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS--

-- A number of efforts are underway to help Rick's family in this especially hard time. Ranger Laura has some up with a unique way of showing her support.

"Jan, you've inspired me. And I'm going to take it a step further, because when charity is involved, one-up-manship is a good thing. As some of you may recall, back in 1998, the Starship Modeler website (www.starshipmodeler.com) held a "Starfury Wing Art" competition. My entry, a follow-up to a customized, fully-lit, hand-painted version of Sinclair's 'Fury from the Battle of the Line (I sold an article to Fine Scale Modeler Magazine about the construction of that model, which I was paid for but which sadly never ran. See photos and details on this model at http://nova.umuc.edu/~friedman/b5md/models/starfury3.html) was a design for the Starfury I imagined Valen flew from Babylon 4 (see photos at http://nova.umuc.edu/~friedman/b5md/models/starfury4.html). It won the contest by a landslide, was featured in Fine Scale Modeler's "Great Scale Modeling 1999" special magazine, and earned a shout-out from JMS. After that, I was contacted by many collectors who wanted me to build and customize their models. Unfortunately, at that same time, I developed severe ulnar neuropathy in my right arm and had to stop painting and modelling. Two surgeries and six years later, I'm finally capable of returning to the game. And I have an unbuilt Revell Starfury model kit in my stash of "B5 collectibles I was saving for posterity."

So ... I am hereby announcing a fund-raising auction of *the winner's choice of any design of custom, fully-lit Starfury model* to be constructed by yours truly, and with all proceeds going to whatever Memorial Fund is established for Richard Biggs' sons. Pick a 'fury from the series, and I will build it and you *will* be impressed. Bidding starts at $150 ... but please realize that way back in '98, the going rates for custom-built science fiction models by other artists were more in the realm of $300-500 a model. And need I say, it's for a very good cause.

Please feel free to disseminate this offer at any B5 or other SF sites you, the reader, may frequent, or send it to any friends you think might be interested, as I want to raise as much money as is possible in memory of an actor who brought us all so much enjoyment. Bidders should send their Starfury Requests and bid amounts to l- appelbaum@mindspring.com. At the end of June, I'll announce the winner here (unless they want anonymity)."

-- Ranger Jan has begun an effort to raise money for a memorial fund. Richard has two small children, and I am sure everyone in the B5 community will want to show the family how much Rick meant to us - - not only as a fine actor, but as a wonderful human being. Here is Jan's note explaining her efforts:

Upon hearing how young Richard Biggs children are, I didn't want to wait to begin raising money for his memorial fund. I'm hoping that you'll be able to help me spread the word and assure people that I'm on the level.

What I've done so far is to begin a new Ebay account called RBiggsMemorial and a new PayPal account to email address RBiggsMemorial@aol.com. I've started two auctions so far and have several more planned.

What I'm asking: If at all possible could you help me spread the news of what I'm doing to your friends/colleagues/ forums/websites etc. I will be happy to list any items that you'd like auctioned off for this also.

Please note that this is so far quite unofficial but I have already written to JMS telling him what I wanted to do. If for any reason he or Richard's family have reservations I'll stop immediately or relinquish the accounts to them. Upon finding out information for an official memorial account, I'll see what I can do about linking the PayPal account to that so that the funds will be immediately available to them.

Thanks for your help and friendship. Jan

Auctions to benefit a Richard Biggs Memorial fund: http://tinyurl.com/2az5w. PayPal Account: RBiggsMemorial@aol.com