Nicholas Brendon, 54, was an actor on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

 

Nicholas Brendon, 54, was an actor on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Image: Getty Images)

Nicholas Brendon, an American actor best known for his role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has passed away at the age of 54. Brendon's family confirmed in a statement on social media that "he passed in his sleep of natural causes".

 "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create," his family added. His art was one of the purest expressions of who he was, according to those who had a true understanding of him. "Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years.  Painting and art have become Nicky's newfound passion in recent years.

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Brendon played Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer over seven seasons between 1997 and 2003 - best friend of the titular character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.  A planned reboot of Buffy was cancelled, Gellar announced to fans on Instagram earlier this month.

 Gellar wrote, quoting a well-known series monologue by his character, "They'll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn't chosen" following the news of her co-star's death. to never step into the spotlight despite living so close to it. But I know.  Because no one is watching me, I see more than anyone else does. "I saw you Nicky," she added.  "In that big rocking chair in the sky, I know you are at peace," she said. For his role in Buffy, the actor from Los Angeles was nominated for three Saturn Awards—two for best TV actor and one for best TV supporting actor. In two episodes of Buffy, Brendon's twin brother Kelly Donovan Schultz also served as his body double. Alyson Hannigan, who starred alongside him, paid tribute to him in an Instagram post. "My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love, and Dodgers," she wrote in the letter. Every time I see a rocking chair, I'll think of you. I cherish you. RIP."

 Following Buffy, Brendon appeared in various shows including Criminal Minds, Private Practice and Kitchen Confidential.

 Psycho Beach Party, Big Gay Love, and Redwood are among his other films. Brendon was open about his health issues, which included a heart attack. He also had two spinal surgeries for cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that can affect bladder and bowel function as well as movement. The actor also had a stutter and lived with it. Later, he worked as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America to help people with stutters. The late actor had also discussed his struggles with alcoholism, substance abuse, and mental health issues. "While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing," his family told the Hollywood Reporter.

Source: BBC