Actor Andy Whitfield, who starred in the television series Spartacus: Blood & Sand, died Sunday following an 18-month-long battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was 39.
The former model began his acting career in Australia, where he starred in numerous television series and films, before ultimately getting the role that would gain him attention stateside.
Whitfield was diagnosed with early-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after his first season run in Spartacus as the title character. The Welsh-born actor's diagnosis affected the Starz network series' second season, and while Whitfield underwent treatment, the producers created a prequel mini-series, to which Whitfield lent his voice. (Actor Liam McIntyre will play Spartacus in the sword-and-sandal show's second season.)
Whitfield died Sunday, September 11 in Australia, reportedly surrounded by friends and family. His wife, Vashti, said Whitfield died in her arms. The couple have two children
Spartacus co-star Lucy Lawless said on her website Whitfield was a "gentle man who never had a bad world about anyone". She went on to say that Whitfield was a brilliant actor and a gifted photographer and engineer.
'Obviously, Andy Whitfield left an indelible mark on all of us in the Spartacus family,' she said.
'Andy's incandescent film presence made men want to be him and women want to marry him.
'Andy's two babies will always know that their Daddy cherished them and their mother, Vashti, above all things. 'How lucky we were to have him grace all our lives.
The former model began his acting career in Australia, where he starred in numerous television series and films, before ultimately getting the role that would gain him attention stateside.
Whitfield was diagnosed with early-stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after his first season run in Spartacus as the title character. The Welsh-born actor's diagnosis affected the Starz network series' second season, and while Whitfield underwent treatment, the producers created a prequel mini-series, to which Whitfield lent his voice. (Actor Liam McIntyre will play Spartacus in the sword-and-sandal show's second season.)
Whitfield died Sunday, September 11 in Australia, reportedly surrounded by friends and family. His wife, Vashti, said Whitfield died in her arms. The couple have two children
Spartacus co-star Lucy Lawless said on her website Whitfield was a "gentle man who never had a bad world about anyone". She went on to say that Whitfield was a brilliant actor and a gifted photographer and engineer.
'Obviously, Andy Whitfield left an indelible mark on all of us in the Spartacus family,' she said.
'Andy's incandescent film presence made men want to be him and women want to marry him.
'Andy's two babies will always know that their Daddy cherished them and their mother, Vashti, above all things. 'How lucky we were to have him grace all our lives.
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