Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s cast are paying tribute to Nicholas Brendon following his death at age 54.
The actor’s family announced in a statement shared with Us Weekly on Friday, March 20, that Brendon had died “in his sleep of natural causes.”
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,” the statement read. “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.”
Describing Brendon as “passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create,” the family added that “those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.”
Noting that it was “no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past” the family added that Brendon”was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis, and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
Brendon shared in 2023 that he had suffered a heart attack and had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, as well as cauda equina syndrome. Prior to his death, the actor had undergone several spinal surgeries.
Thanking everyone for their support in the wake of Brendon’s death, the statement concluded, “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.”
Brendon was best known for playing Xander Harris on Buffy from 1997 to 2003.
In a 2015 interview with KLZ Events, Brendon reflected on his magical experience on Buffy.
“The first season was just like ‘Wow, what’s going on?’ It was really, really lovely,” said Brendon.
He continued, “It helps people when they’re in their lowest and it’s nice because we’ve all been there. And I feel honored that I was a part of helping pick them up. And giving them hope. Because life can be tough sometimes.”
Keep scrolling for the Buffy cast’s heartfelt tributes to their late costar:
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar began a social media tribute by quoting one of Nicholas Brendon’s lines from Buffy, “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.”
She also added, “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan was the first Buffy costar to mourn Brendon’s death publicly.
The actress, who played Xander’s best friend Willow Rosenberg on the series, paid tribute by sharing a still of the characters via Instagram.
“My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers,” she captioned the post. “I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP 💔”
David Boreanaz
David Boreanaz, who starred on Buffy as Angel, penned a social media tribute about Nicholas Brendon’s death.
“There are people you work with and then there are people you share time with, Nick was the latter,” Boreanaz wrote via Instagram. “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. He carried something real, not perfect, not polished, just real.”
He continued, “And in this business that matters more than most things. We don’t always get to choose how long someone stays in the story, only that they were here. And he was … Rest easy, Brother. Some people leave a mark without trying.”
Emma Caulfield
Emma Caulfield, who acted opposite Brendon in Buffy as on-again, off-again love interest Anya Jenkins, also honored Nicholas Brendon.
Posting via her Instagram Stories on March 20, the actress shared a 2017 clip of Brendon speaking to Entertainment Weekly about Buffy’s iconic musical episode.
“No word[s] yet. I love you Nicky. Let this clip of us giving it our best be a placeholder. Rest. Nicky. Rest,” she wrote, signing off with a broken heart emoji and her Buffy character’s name.
Greg Vaughn
“Heavy hearts for anyone who’s known, worked with and was just talking about,” Greg Vaughn, a.k.a. Richard Anderson on the show, wrote via Instagram. “Nick, you were beyond kind, tremendously funny and everyone loved! You’ve gained your wings because you were nothing short of an Angel! R. I. P. brotha.”
Charisma Carpenter
Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia on the first three seasons of Buffy, memorialized Nicholas Brendon via social media after his death.
“I will miss the version of the man I once knew, someone who was so warm and loving,” she wrote via Instagram. “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.”
Carpenter added, “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. From his trailer, which my window faced on the lot, I could hear all the bands that exemplify the 90s but are also, for me, tied up in the memory of Nicky. Bands like: Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, STP, Foo Fighters, OMC, Green Day, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Sublime, Creed, Barenaked Ladies, Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Lauryn Hill, Blink-182, 311, Blur, Garbage, Counting Crows [and the] Goo Goo Dolls. I miss those days and cling to those memories of him today.”
Carpenter also offered her condolences to Brendon’s family and friends who “were with him to the end,” adding, May he be at peace now.”
James Leary
“Godspeed, laugh and joke your way through the Hellmouth to salvation,” James Leary, who played Clem, wrote via his Instagram. “I hope you have found peace, friend.”
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