Nicholas Brendon, who played the character of Xander in the hit ’90s TV series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” has died. He was 54.
The news was confirmed in a post on Brendon’s verified Instagram on Friday. It said the actor died 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,” the statement read.
“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.”
A statement later shared with CNN by Brendon’s representative Rebecca Taylor on behalf of his family added, “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.”
The statement concluded by asking for privacy for the family.
The actor is best known for playing Xander Harris, best friend to Buffy Summers, on the hit WB series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” which ran for seven seasons beginning in 1997 until 2003.
A year after “Buffy” ended its run, the actor voluntarily checked himself into a rehabilitation facility due to an alcohol problem, according to the Los Angeles Times.
His problems continued in 2010, as reported by People at the time, when he again checked into rehab after having a run-in with police.
In 2014 and 2015, Brendon was arrested several more times in Florida, South Carolina and New York, and entered programs for depression, alcohol, and substance abuse at least twice, the magazine reported.
He again was arrested in 2017 for after allegedly attacking his girlfriend in a California hotel room.
Brendon’s public medical issues began in 2021, when he reportedly experienced paralysis in his body due to a spinal issue, which led to multiple surgeries.
The following year, Brendon experienced what his family described at the time as a “cardiac incident (tachycardia/arrhythmia).”
Buffy and beyond
Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy in the series, posted a tribute to Brendon early Saturday.
Echoing lines he delivered as Xander on the show, she wrote on Instagram: “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.” Gellar added: “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
Actress Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow on the “Buffy” series, paid tribute to her late costar on Instagram late Friday with a photo of the pair from the show.
Calling Brendon her “Sweet Nicky,” Hannigan thanked him for “years of laughter, love and Dodgers,” the Los Angeles-based MLB team.
Other credits for the late actor include the 2000 film “Psycho Beach Party” and the 2013 movie “Coherence,” in which he appeared with his identical twin brother Kelly Donovan.
The news of Brendon’s death comes a little over a year after the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg, another star of the original “Buffy” series.
Buffy Star Nicholas Brendon’s Alleged Handwritten 11-Word Will Reveals Who He Left ‘Everything’ To
A will allegedly written by the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ actor, who was found dead at his home in March at age 54, is included in a new court filing
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NEED TO KNOW
Nicholas Brendon died in March at age 54
A June 15 court filing claimed the Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s alleged will, which was handwritten
It’s unclear when the handwritten will was created
Nicholas Brendon’s alleged last will and testament has been revealed, three months after his sudden death.
Court documents filed on Monday, June 15, and obtained by PEOPLE include what is alleged to be the Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s handwritten will. It’s unknown when Brendon — who was 54 when he died “in his sleep of natural causes,” according to his family, in March — wrote the alleged will.
His father Robert Schultz, mother Kathleen Schultz and twin brother Kelton Schultz, were all listed in the documents, along with his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Marker.
On a piece of lined paper titled “My Will,” Brendon wrote: “Sarah gets nothing,” referring to his ex-girlfriend. “Kel gets everything. He can figure it out.”
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On May 25, Brendon’s brother Kelton petitioned to be appointed the personal representative for his estate, given the actor’s wishes. No details were included in the documents about Brendon’s assets.
A hearing is scheduled for July 16.
Brendon’s death was ruled to be of natural causes by the Putnam County Coroner’s office in May.
Coroner Todd Zeiner announced in a report obtained by PEOPLE that the actor died of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The report lists acute pneumonia and previous myocardial infarction as contributing factors.
In the report, Zeiner said law enforcement present at the scene “found no obvious signs of foul play and assisted me with cataloging the scene. Nothing seemed out of place or disturbed.”
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A longtime friend of Brendon’s, Theresa Fortier, was at his home and called 911, Zeiner said in the report. The actor had “a persistent cough and had been self-medicating with over-the-counter medications. He had been complaining about chest pain. She recommended a hospital, but he declined.”
“He was a longtime smoker and was apprehensive about going due to his recent back surgery. She advised he had a recent heart attack several years ago, but he declined any further treatment at that time.”
In the report, Zeiner also confirmed that Brendon “resided alone and was discovered by a longtime friend who had been staying overnight to provide care.”
In the years after Buffy, Brendon, who did not have any kids, spoke out about struggling with depression as well as alcohol and substance addictions, checking into rehab between multiple arrests, including for domestic violence charges and prescription fraud.
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