Mira Furlan, the Yugosavian actress known for her role of Danielle Rousseas on LOST, has died at the age of 65.
The actress died on Wednesday, January 20, but a cause of death was not announced.
In 2004, she first appeared on “LOST” as Danielle Rousseau, a scientist who had been shipwrecked on the island and eventually met the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815.
In 1993, Furlan first played the part of Minbari ambassador Delenn on “Babylon 5,” her breakthrough role in America after a career on the Yugoslavian stage.
Her death was announced on her official Twitter account.
— Mira Furlan (@FurlanMira) January 22, 2021
The Lost Wiki at Fandom lists this summary of the character of Rousseau.
Danielle Rousseau was a woman of French origin who was shipwrecked on the Island with an expedition in 1988, seven months pregnant with her daughter, Alex. It was during this time that her team rescued Jin, who, as a result of the Island’s move, was traveling through time. Shortly after Danielle gave birth, her daughter was taken away by Benjamin Linus, an Other. Rousseau lived alone for sixteen years, and over time became slightly disturbed due to her isolation.
Following the crashing of their plane, Rousseau met and eventually joined the Flight 815 survivors, and finally reunited with her daughter. On 27 December 2004, while she, Alex, and Karl were traveling to the Temple, they were ambushed by Keamy and his mercenary team. Both Rousseau and Karl were shot dead. Her body was discovered by Miles as he, Sawyer, and Claire were going back to the beach.
In the afterlife, Danielle shared a happy, normal life with Alexandra, away from the Island. She eventually met Ben, who was now Alex’s history teacher, and moved him by saying he was the closest thing to a father Alex ever had.
“Babylon 5” creator J. Michael Straczynski posted a loving tribute to Furlan on Twitter. He revealed that she had been hospitalized, but did not disclose details. He also said that “Babylon 5” co-star Peter Jurasik had recently informed him that Furlan’s husband, director Goran Gajić, had brought her home for her final days.
“Mira was a good and kind woman, a stunningly talented performer, and a friend to everyone in the cast and crew of ‘Babylon 5,’ and we are all devastated by the news,” Straczynski wrote. “The cast members with whom she was especially close since the show’s end will need room to process this moment, so please be gentle if they are unresponsive for a time. We have been down this road too often, and it only gets harder.”
It is a night of great sadness, for our friend and comrade had gone down the road where we cannot reach her. But as with all things, we will catch up with her in time, and I believe she will have many stories to tell us, and many new roles to share with the universe. pic.twitter.com/HyQlqyC19v
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) January 22, 2021
Furlan is survived by her husband and their son, Marko Lav Gajić.
Our condolences to Furlan’s family, friends, and fans.