Sarah Michelle Gellar breaks her silence as she leads cast tributes to late Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star Nicholas Brendon

Sarah Michelle Gellar shared her heartbreak alongside a smiling photo of herself and Nicholas on Instagram. 

She penned: “‘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.”

David Boreanaz, who played Angel, broke his social media ban for Lent to pay tribute to Nicholas, writing: “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. 

“He carried something real, not perfect, not polished, just real. 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.”

Alyson Hannigan, who played Xander’s best friend, Willow Rosenberg, took to Instagram and shared a photo of their characters in an emotional embrace.

She wrote: “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 starred as Xander’s on-again, off-again love interest Anya, admitted she wasn’t yet ready to pay Nicholas the fitting tribute he deserved. 

“My heart is heavy,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “I can’t put into words just how this has hit me. Let this clip of us giving it our all be a placeholder. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.”

Greg Vaughan, who guest-starred as the Delta Zeta Kappa fraternity member Richard Anderson in season two, shared a photo of himself and Nicholas on the Buffy set, alongside a touching message.

It read: “Heavy hearts for anyone who’s known, worked with and was just talking about! 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.”

James C. Leary, who played the friendly demon Clem in a recurring role during seasons six and seven, wrote on Instagram: “Godspeed, laugh and joke your way through the Hellmouth to salvation. I hope you have found peace, friend.”

Nicholas’ family revealed that he died in his sleep of “natural causes.”

In 2022, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after suffering a “cardiac incident” that led to his hospitalization.

He previously also suffered from cauda equina syndrome, resulting in the nerves in his lower spinal cord being damaged, and underwent multiple spinal surgeries to address partial paralysis in his legs and genitals.

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon,” the family shared in a statement. “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,” it continued.

“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.”

It 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. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”