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“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Nicholas Brendon died on Friday, March 20, at the age of 54.
His family confirmed his death in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, telling the media, “We are devastated by the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon.
“He passed away in his sleep due to natural causes,” the statement said. “Many people know Nicky for his work as an actor and the characters he brought to life in recent years. In recent years, Nicky found his passion for painting and art. Nicky loved to share his passionate talent with his family, friends and fans. He was loving, compassionate and endlessly driven to create.
“Those who really knew him understood that his art was one of the purest aspects of who he was. Although it is no secret that Nicholas had a troubled past, he had medication and therapy to manage his diagnosis and was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
Brendon died on Friday, March 20. (Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
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They ended their statement by asking the public for “privacy at this time” as they take time to “grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with determination, imagination, and heart.”
“I thank everyone who showed love and support,” they concluded.
In 2022, a post on his Instagram account shared with fans that the actor was rushed to the hospital after a heart attack, adding that he was diagnosed with congenital heart disease.
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He then shared on Instagram in 2023 that he had a heart attack and multiple spinal surgeries. The actor previously revealed that he was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, which the Cleveland Clinic describes as “compression of a group of nerve roots” located “at the bottom of your spine” that control your ability to “move and feel sensation in your legs and bladder.”
Brendon rose to fame as the star of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Brendon broke into the entertainment business by starring as Xander Harris in all seven seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” from 1997 to 2003.
During that time, he also appeared in films such as “Psycho Beach Party,” “Hard Ground” and “Survivor Island,” later appearing in popular TV shows such as “Private Practice” and “Criminal Minds.”
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“I love that so many of you have connected with the show and the cast,” she wrote on Instagram for “Buffy’s” 25th anniversary. “And despite the painful memories, I will always be very grateful that I got the chance to play Xander and that it gave me the opportunity to meet so many of you.”
Brendon struggled with substance abuse and mental health in his 30s and was arrested multiple times for criminal charges.
Brendon has previously struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
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