Stephen Furst

Biography

Date of Birth 8 May 1955, Norfolk, Virginia, USA Birth Name Stephen Fuerstein Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) Stephen Furst was born in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1972, Furst's father died from diabetes complications. Years later, Furst was diagnosed with type II diabetes. One of his sisters, Marsha, died from kidney disease as a result of adult-onset diabetes. After almost needing to have his left foot amputated due to diabetes complications in 1996, Furst lost nearly 80 lb (36 kg) in the time between the third and fourth seasons of Babylon 5. When filming started for the fourth season, the show's producers found that all of the costumes were now too large for him. His weight loss is easily visible in the later seasons of Babylon 5. (This weight loss was not explained within the context of the Vir Cotto character.) He wrote the book Confessions of a Couch Potato about his weight loss and diabetes, and co-wrote and directed a video called Diabetes for Guys, an attempt to educate about diabetes management through humor. Furst has two sons, both in the entertainment business. His older son, Nathan Furst (b. 1978), is a successful television and film composer who has been nominated for numerous awards. His younger son, Griff Furst (b. 1981), is an actor, director and musician. His wife, Lorraine, is an entertainment lawyer. He is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University's theater program.