Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing the lovable and witty Xander Harris in Buffy the vampire slayerhas died.
He was 54 years old. His family confirmed that he died in his sleep of natural causes on Friday.
In a statement, his family said: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed away in his sleep from natural causes.
Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art.
Nicky loved sharing his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. “He was passionate, sensitive and infinitely motivated to create.”
The statement added that while his struggles were no secret, he had been receiving treatment and was in a positive state of mind.
“He was taking medication and treatment to manage his diagnosis and was feeling optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
Brendon played Xander Harris for all seven seasons of Buffy the vampire slayerwhich ran between 1997 and 2003.
As one of Buffy Summers’ closest friends and a core member of the Scooby Gang, Xander became one of the show’s most beloved characters, known for his loyalty, humor, and ability to fend off the forces of darkness without any supernatural powers of his own.
During the show’s run, Brendon also appeared in films including Psycho party on the beach alongside Amy Adams and Lauren Ambrose. He later appeared in 21 episodes of criminal minds as 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 series of arrests followed over the next few years, beginning in 2010 and continuing until 2021, when a charge of prescription fraud violated his probation.
He had also been hospitalized after two spinal surgeries and a heart attack in 2022, which he documented on social media while asking fans for financial support.
In his later years he increasingly devoted himself to painting, sharing his artwork with his fans online along with 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 approved a revival of Buffy the vampire slayer that would have seen Sarah Michelle Gellar return to the lead role.
Brendon was unlikely to be involved given his legal history, and in a Facebook live stream after the news broke, he spoke angrily about the situation.
Born in Los Angeles as an identical twin, his brother is Kelly Donovan, Brendon originally began acting to help overcome his stutter. He was married and divorced twice.
