Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing the lovable and quick-witted Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayerdied.
He was 54 years old. His family confirmed that he died in his sleep on Friday of natural causes.
In a statement, his family said: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed away in his sleep of natural causes.
Most people know Nicky for his acting work and the characters he has brought to life over the years. In recent years, Nicky has discovered his passion for painting and art.
Nicky loved sharing his enthusiastic talent with family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive and constantly driven to create. »
The statement added that while his struggles were not a secret, he was undergoing treatment and was in a positive frame of mind.
“He was taking medication and treatment to manage his diagnosis and was optimistic about the future at the time of his death.”
Brendon played Xander Harris in all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayerwhich took place from 1997 to 2003.
As one of Buffy Summers’ closest friends and a core member of the Scooby Gang, Xander became one of the series’ most beloved characters, known for his loyalty, humor, and ability to defend himself against the forces of darkness without any supernatural powers of his own.
During the series’ run, Brendon also appeared in films including Psycho party on the beach alongside Amy Adams and Lauren Ambrose. He then appeared in 21 episodes of Criminal minds like reformed hacker Kevin Lynch.
After Buffy ended, Brendon publicly struggled with addiction and mental illness, announcing at a fan convention in 2004 that he was entering rehab for alcoholism.
A string of arrests followed over the next several years, beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2021, when a prescription fraud charge violated his probation.
He had also been hospitalized following two spinal surgeries and a heart attack in 2022, which he documented on social media while appealing to fans for financial support.
In his later years, he increasingly turned to painting, sharing his works with fans online as well as occasional updates on his health. His family described the art as “one of the purest reflections of who he was.”
His death comes just days after Hulu aired a revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer this would have seen Sarah Michelle Gellar return to the title role.
Brendon was unlikely to be involved given his legal history, and in a Facebook livestream following the news, he spoke angrily about the situation.
Born in Los Angeles as an identical twin, his brother’s name is Kelly Donovan. Brendon first began acting to help overcome a stutter. He married and divorced twice.
