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Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died in his sleep of natural causes on March 20, his family shared. He was 54.
Nicholas Brendon, 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Actor, Dead at 54
A beloved member of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast has passed away.
Nicholas Brendon, best know for his role as Xander Harris in the Sarah Michelle Gellar-starring series, died on March 20 at the age of 54, according to his family.
"He passed in his sleep of natural causes," they said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years."
Brendon's family said he was "on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis," including his struggles with cauda equina syndrome (CES), and was "optimistic about the future at the time of his passing."
"In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans," they shared. "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was."
Their statement concluded, "Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”
Brendon had been open about his health struggles in recent years. In 2023, he shared that he had suffered a heart attack and undergone two spinal surgeries for CES, a compression of nerve roots in the base of the spine.
"Sorry for the extra long disappearing act," Brendon wrote in an Instagram post marking his 52nd birthday, sharing that juggling his medical appointments was "as emotionally exhausting and painful as dealing with my actual injuries."
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He added at the time, "I also needed time to rest...or at least as much as I'm capable of resting."
Brendon had also been candid about his struggles with substance abuse, which got him in trouble with the law several times throughout the 2010s.
"My illnesses and addictions are a daily struggle for me, and I am committed to working on them for the rest of my life," he wrote in a 2015 Facebook post. "A big part of that is focusing on positivity. I’m the first to admit I’ve messed up, a lot, and I’ve hurt people I care about and who care about me."
"For those of you who have shared your own struggles with addiction and depression, thank you," Brendon continued. "I’m sure I’ll have ups and downs to come, but I’m hopeful for a bright future.
In addition to Buffy, Brendon's TV credits included Criminal Minds, Kitchen Confidential, Private Practice and Faking It. He also appeared in several movies, including 2000's Psycho Beach Party with Amy Adams and Lauren Ambrose.
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