Michael O'Hare departed his role as Commander Jeffrey Sinclair on Babylon 5 after the first season because of severe mental health problems. Series creator J. Michael Straczynski revealed the details years later following the actor's death.
O'Hare portrayed the lead character in the 1990s science fiction series but left after production on season one ended. Straczynski described how O'Hare showed symptoms of psychosis during filming, including beliefs that the FBI was following him and that he received secret messages through newspapers and television programs.
The production team arranged a treatment plan that allowed O'Hare to complete season one. Straczynski later recalled telling the actor that continuing would harm his health and offered financial support for treatment after his exit.
O'Hare returned for guest appearances in season two and three episodes. The team kept his condition private at the time to protect his career, at his own request for the story to be shared if needed.
O'Hare died of a heart attack in 2012 after his condition worsened and he stopped taking medication.
