Nicholas Brendon’s colleagues remember the late actor, who unexpectedly died of natural causes on the weekend.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon died from natural causes on Friday, March 20 at the age of 54.
In a statement released to the press, Brendon’s family said, “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed 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 in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. 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. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”
Brendon will forever be known for his signature role as everyman Xander Harris in Joss Whedon’s Buffy The Vampire Slayer, who he played for seven seasons from 1997 – 2003. While he had a recurring supporting role recurring role on Criminal Minds as FBI technical analyst Kevin Lynch from 2007 – 2014, Brendon struggled to replicate the success of his Buffy tenure, while at the same time ongoing substance abuse issues, health crises, and a string of arrests for domestic violence and other charges marred his personal and professional reputation.
In the days following his death, several of Brendon’s former co-stars expressed their condolences on social media. Charisma Carpenter, who co-starred as spoiled rich girl Cordelia Chase in Buffy from 1997 to 1995, alluded to Brendon’s personal problems in her Instagram post.
“I will miss the version of the man I once knew,” Carpenter wrote. “Someone who was so warm and loving. He was cuddly, funny, silly, self-deprecating, and supremely talented. I loved every scene we had together back in the day. He always kept me on my toes, never delivering a line the same way twice, forcing me to become a better actor by listening. I will always remember him in my mind’s eye, in his trailer with the door wide open, in his rocking chair, smoking a cigarette and listening to music.”
In his own Insta post, Angel actor David Boreanaz wrote, “There are people you work with
and then there are people you share time with
“Nick was the latter
“Some moments stay small on paper
“a laugh between takes
“a look that says we got this
“the quiet understanding of showing up
“and doing the work together
“But those are the things that last”
Alyson Hannigan, who played nascent with Willow Rosenberg on Buffy, kept it short and sincere, writing, “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP”
Emma Caulfield, who played Xander’s long-term romantic interest Anya on the series, remembered her time in the fan conventions trenches with Brendon, writing, “I just watched an old video of us at some Comic-Con panel. Damn Nicky, you made me laugh. From day one you welcomed me. You made keeping a straight face a nearly impossible task. Thank you. Love you. Rest in piece old friend.”
While Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, wrote, “‘They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me’ I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
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