Nicholas Brendon, best known for his role on the hit TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died at the age of 54.
Brendon’s family announced his death in a Facebook post Friday night, writing he “passed in his sleep of natural causes.”
“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,” his family wrote.
Brendon was open about his previous health issues.
In a since-deleted post shared on Brendon’s Instagram account in August 2022, it was revealed that he had been hospitalized because of tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm with a resting heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
The post, reported on by several outlets at the time, mentioned that Brendon had a “similar incident after his second spinal surgery last year” for cauda equina syndrome, which occurs when there is damage to the nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord.
Brendon needed emergency surgery after a spinal injury from a fall in February 2021, the star’s manager, Theresa Fortier, previously told the Los Angeles Times.
There was a complication with Brendon’s second spinal surgery in October 2021, which caused the tachycardia, according to Fortier. After the August 2022 cardiac incident, Brendon was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, Fortier said.
“He is currently under the care of a cardiologist and has been focusing on painting and reducing stress,” the manager said.
Brendon’s passion for painting was mentioned in his death announcement.
“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,” his family said.
Brendon was born, along with his twin brother, Kelly Donovan, on April 12, 1971, in Los Angeles, according to his IMDb profile.
Despite his reported love for baseball in high school, Brendon got into acting in the 1990s.
He got his breakout role as Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997.
The Emmy award-winning supernatural show aired for seven seasons. Brendon’s twin brother appeared alongside him in two episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Actress Alyson Hannigan Denisof, who played Willow Rosenberg on Buffy the Vampire Slayer paid tribute to Brendon Friday night, writing on Instagram, “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.”
Brendon’s first major role in film was as Starcat in the 2000 satire, Psycho Beach Party. He also appeared in the TV show Criminal Minds and the 2013 film Coherence.
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