Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing the lovable, quick-witted Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayeris dead.
He was 54. His family confirmed he died in his sleep of natural causes on Friday.
In a statement, his family said: “We are devastated to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed away 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 within painting and art.
Nicky loved sharing his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive and endlessly driven to create.”
The statement added that while his struggles were no secret, he had received treatment and was in a positive state of mind.
“He was on medication and treatment to cope with his diagnosis and was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
Brendon played Xander Harris across all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayerwhich ran from 1997 to 2003.
As one of Buffy Summers’ closest friends and a core member of the Scooby gang, Xander became one of the series’ most beloved characters, known for his loyalty, his humor, and his ability to hold his own against the forces of darkness without his own supernatural powers.
During the show’s run, Brendon also appeared in films, including Psycho Beach Party along with 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 ensuing years, beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2021, when a charge of prescription fraud violated his probation.
He had also been hospitalized following two spinal surgeries and a heart attack in 2022, which he documented on social media while appealing to fans for financial support.
In his later years, he had turned more and more to painting, sharing his artwork with 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 survived a revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer it would have seen Sarah Michelle Gellar return to the title role.
Brendon was unlikely to have been involved given his legal history, and in a Facebook live stream following the news, he had spoken out angrily about the situation.
Born in Los Angeles as an identical twin, his brother is Kelly Donovan, Brendon originally started playing to help overcome a stutter. He was married and divorced twice.
