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Credit: 20th Century Fox Television
The cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer remain TV icons from their time in Sunnydale in the ’90s, but now one of those cast members has passed away. Nicholas Brendon, known for playing Xander Harris across all seven seasons of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s series, has died at the age of just 54.
The sad news was confirmed on Instagram, with members of Nicholas Brendon’s family posting the message (and a request) to fans on the Buffy and Criminal Minds vet’s own account. They wrote:
We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. 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. 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.
The family’s comments didn’t go into detail about the cause of death beyond “natural causes,” but THR reports that Nicholas Brendon suffered a heart attack in 2023 and diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He also underwent several spinal surgeries due to cauda equina syndrome. The statement went on:
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 everybody who has shown love and support.
Hopefully well-wishers can honor the family’s request for privacy, and celebrate his life in their own ways, whether than means revisiting Buffy the Vampire Slayer streaming with a Hulu subscription, Criminal Minds with a Paramount+ subscription, or any of his other projects.
Nicholas Brendon hadn’t been announced as part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot that was in the works at Hulu until decided not to move forward with it, so there was no expectation that Sarah Michelle Gellar’s return as Buffy meant Brendon returning as Xander. Still, there was reason for fans of the character to hope.
Our thoughts here at CinemaBlend are with the family, friends, and loved ones of Nicholas Brendon in this difficult time.
More to come…
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