Sean Connery, Terence Stamp, Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay and John Hurt – had become stars, and he had not. Later life Sekka eventually moved to the United States with the aim of getting better roles. He had a minor part in the films A Warm December (1972) and Uptown Saturday Night (1974), both directed by Poitier. The first also featured Earl Cameron and the second Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor. These roles led to a more memorable role in the sitcom Good Times, where he portrayed Ibe, Thelma's (BernNadette Stanis) African love interest. In 1976, he starred in the movie Mohammad, Messenger of God (also known as The Message) about the origin of Islam and the message of Muhammad, in which he played Muhammad's Ethiopian companion Bilal al-Habashi. He appeared in the 1982 film Hanky Panky, and played Banda in the 1984 miniseries Master of the Game. He was not cast in Roots (1977), being considered insufficiently American, but secured a role in the sequel, Roots: The Next Generations (1979), playing an African interpreter. Sekka is widely known among science fiction fans for his role as Dr. Benjamin Kyle in the television series Babylon 5'''s pilot movie, The Gathering (1993). Recurring health problems forced him to decline a future role in the series, and ultimately were the reason he retired from acting altogether. Death On 14 September 2006, Sekka died of lung cancer at his ranch in Agua Dulce, California, aged 72, survived by his wife Cecilia and son Lamine. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City. FilmographyFlame in the Streets (1961) – Peter LincolnThe Wild and the Willing (1962) – ReggieWoman of Straw (1964) – ThomasEast of Sudan (1964) – KimrasiKhartoum (1966) – KhaleelThe Last Safari (1967) – JamaThe Southern Star (1969) – MatakitIncense for the Damned (1970) – Bob KirbyThings Fall Apart (1971) Reou-Takh (1972) – Bob (uncredited)Charley One-Eye (1973) – Bob (uncredited)A Warm December (1973) – Dr. Joseph MyomoVisit to a Chief's Son (1974) – NemolokUptown Saturday Night (1974) – Geechie's HenchmanThe Message (1976) – BilalAshanti (1979) – Captain BradfordCharlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981) – StefanHanky Panky (1982) – LaceyFever Pitch (1985) – ChocolatePassion and Paradise (1989) – Alfred AdderlyBabylon 5: The Gathering (1993) - Benjamin Kyle, M.D. References External links Obituary at Variety.com (subscription required) Obituary, The Independent, 29 September 2006 Obituary, The Guardian, 29 September 2006 Obituary, The