In a somber turn of events, the entertainment industry mourns the loss of Gary Graham, a veteran actor celebrated for his iconic roles in ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Alien Nation.’ Graham, aged 73, succumbed to cardiac arrest at a Spokane, Washington hospital on Monday, as confirmed by his wife of nearly 25 years, Becky Graham, to the Hollywood Reporter.
Throughout his illustrious career, Gary Graham carved a lasting legacy in the hearts of science fiction enthusiasts worldwide. Trekkies fondly remember him as Ocampan community leader Tanis in “Star Trek: Voyager,” Vulcan ambassador Soval in “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and First Officer Ragnar in “Star Trek: Of Gods and Men” and “Star Trek: Renegades.”
Beyond the realm of ‘Star Trek,’ Graham took on the role of Detective Matthew Sikes in the acclaimed television series ‘Alien Nation’ in 1989. His portrayal continued to captivate audiences in five subsequent television movies, including “Alien Nation: Dark Horizon” (1994), “Alien Nation: Body and Soul” (1995), “Alien Nation: Millennium” (1996), “Alien Nation: The Enemy Within” (1996), and “Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy” (1997).
The news of Graham’s passing reverberated through social media, with his ex-wife, Susan Lavelle, sharing a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. She began, “It is with deep profound sadness to say that Gary Graham, my ex-husband, amazing actor, and father of our beautiful only child together, Haylee Graham, has passed away today. We are completely devastated, especially our daughter. His wife, Becky, was by his side.”
Lavelle reminisced about their early days, saying, “I met Gary when I was just 20 years old, and he was one half of the star duo on the TV series ‘Alien Nation.’ But he had already been in movies like ‘All the Right Moves’ with Tom Cruise. Of course, Gary has many more credits.”
She concluded her touching message with a plea for prayers for their grieving daughter, saying, “Gary was funny, with a sarcastic sense of humor, but kind, fought for what he believed in, a devout Christian, and was so proud of his daughter, Haylee. This was sudden, so please pray for our daughter as she navigates through this thing called grief.”
Lavelle’s farewell to Graham was equally poignant, with her writing, “Fly high into the heavens, Gar! Thank you for our journey and thank you for the gifts you left me in acting, my love of horses, and most importantly, our daughter.”
As the news spreads, inquiries for comments from Graham’s representatives have poured in, reflecting the impact he had on his colleagues and fans alike.
Born on June 6, 1950, in Long Beach, California, Gary Graham embarked on his television career in the 1970s, making notable appearances on series like “Eight Is Enough,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Police Woman,” and “The Incredible Hulk.” His silver screen presence shone through in movies such as “The Spy Within,” “The Last Warrior,” “The Arrogant,” “All the Right Moves,” “Robot Jox,” and “Steel.”
Gary Graham leaves behind a legacy cherished by many, survived by his devoted wife, Becky, and their daughter, Haylee.
The entertainment industry has lost a true luminary in Gary Graham, whose enduring contributions to ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Alien Nation’ will forever be etched in the annals of science fiction history.
