Actor Nicholas Brendonwho is best known for playing Xander Harris in all seven seasons of the original series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” According to a statement released by his family, the actor died of natural causes at the age of 54. He had been plagued by health problems in recent years, including a heart incident in 2022.
Nicholas Brendon’s family asks for privacy following his death
On Friday, March 20, the late actor’s family confirmed his death in a brief statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed away in his sleep of natural causes,” they wrote in a brief statement, later adding, “Nicky loved sharing his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive and continually driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.”
“While it is no secret that Nicholas has struggled in the past, he was taking medication and treatment to manage his diagnosis and was optimistic about the future at the time of his death,” they continued. “Our family requests privacy during this time as we mourn his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart.”
In the hours following the news, her “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” castmates took to social media to pay tribute to her.
Sarah Michelle Gellar mourns Nicholas Brendon’s death with poignant quote from ‘Buffy’
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellarwho played the titular role of Buffy Summers, took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late costar with a quote that Alex uttered during the show’s seventh and final season.
“They will never know how hard it is to be the one who isn’t chosen. To live so close to the spotlight and never step into it. But I know. I see more than anyone thinks, because no one is looking at me,” she said.
“I saw you Nicky,” she added. “I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
Alyson Hannigan also pays tribute with a photo of “Buffy”
In the same way, Alyson Hanniganwho played the witch Willow, took to Instagram to share a screenshot of Xander holding a crying Willow during one of the show’s most emotional episodes.
“My sweet Nicky, thank you for the years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP,” she wrote alongside the photo.
David Boreanaz also pays tribute to Nicholas Brendon
Actor David Boréanaz played the vampire Angel during the early seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” before moving on to her own spinoff series, “Angel.”
In a lengthy caption, the “Bones” actor began by writing: “There are people you work with
and then there are people you share time with. Nick was the latter.
He praised Nicholas Brendon as someone who “carried something real”, even if it wasn’t “perfect” or “polished” and noted that, in the entertainment industry, “that matters more than most things”.
“We can’t always choose how long someone stays in history, only if they were there,” he wrote, concluding: “Some people leave a mark without trying.”
More ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Costars Pay Tribute
Emma Caulfield Fordwho played Alex’s demon-turned-love interest Anya Jenkins, took to her Instagram Stories to share a clip of the late actor giving an interview about the show’s final season.
In a text box above the photo, she wrote: “My heart is so heavy. I can’t yet express in words how much this has hit me.” She shared a clip of Brendon on the show, adding: “Leave this clip of us giving it all as a placeholder. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.”
Charisma Carpenterwho played Alex’s love interest Cordelia Chase on “Buffy” before moving on to “Angel,” also took to Instagram to share her condolences in a lengthy tribute.
“I will miss the version of the man I once knew – someone who was so warm and loving. He was cuddly, funny, silly, self-deprecating and extremely talented. I loved every scene we had together back then. He always kept me on my toes, never delivering a line the same way twice, forcing me to become a better actor by listening,” she wrote alongside a carousel of photos of the two together.
“I will always remember him in my mind, in his trailer with the door wide open, in his rocking chair, smoking a cigarette and listening to music. From his trailer, towards which my window overlooked the parking lot, I heard all the groups that illustrate the 90s but which are also, for me, linked to the memory of Nicky”, she continued, listing groups like Creed, Alice in Chains, Green Day and Nirvana.
“I miss those days and hold on to those memories of him today. I offer my condolences to his family, his closest friends – who were with him until the end – and the fans around the world who found comfort in his work,” she continued, adding: “May he be at peace now.”