Nicholas Brendon, the actor beloved for his role as Xander Harris on the 1990s hit TV drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died. He was 54.
According to Page Six on the 20th (local time), Brendon's family announced on his official social media that he peacefully passed away of natural causes while sleeping at his home.
His family said, "It breaks our hearts to share the obituary of our brother and son, Nicholas," adding, "He was passionate, sensitive and endlessly creative. Recently he devoted himself to painting and art and enjoyed connecting with family, friends and fans."
They added, "It is no secret that he went through many difficult times in the past, but recently he had been consistently receiving treatment and taking medication to manage his health and had shown an optimistic attitude about the future," expressing further sorrow over the sudden farewell.
News of his death prompted condolences from fellow cast members who worked with him for seven seasons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Alison Hannigan, who played Willow on the drama, posted a still from the series with Nicholas on her social media and wrote, "My sweet Nikki, thank you for years of laughter and love. I will love you forever," leaving fans heartbroken.
Nicholas Brendon appeared in all seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which aired from 1997 to 2003, and alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz helped lead the heyday of the teen horror genre.
In a past interview he said, "Buffy felt like a project blessed by God. It was like a dream that I couldn't believe I was part of this show," showing his deep affection for the work.
The deceased was reported to have been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after suffering a heart attack in 2022 and to have continued a life of illness, including undergoing several spinal surgeries.
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