Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 54. His family confirmed the news on Friday, stating that he passed away in his sleep of natural causes.
Co-star Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow Rosenberg, was among the first to pay tribute. On Instagram, she shared a photo of their characters embracing and 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.'
Sarah Michelle Gellar, who portrayed Buffy Summers, also paid tribute. She posted a 1998 photo of the pair and quoted a line from her character: 'They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen.' She added: 'I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.'
Emma Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins, shared a tribute on Instagram Stories, writing: 'My heart is heavy. I can’t put into words just yet how this has hit me. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.' The post has since been deleted.
Brendon's family described him as a passionate artist who found joy in painting in recent years. They said: 'Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.' They asked for privacy while grieving his loss.
In addition to his role in Buffy, Brendon was known for playing Kevin Lynch in the series Criminal Minds. In 2023, he revealed he had suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
