The actor taking the titular role in the first season of 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' passed away at the age of 39 in Sydney, Australia, eighteen months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Sep 12, 2011
AceShowbiz - Andy Whitfield has lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Manager Sam Maydew said the actor playing the titular character in the first season of Starz's "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" passed away on Sunday, September 11 in Sydney, Australia, manager Sam Maydew said. He was 39.
In a statement cited by the Associated Press, Andy's wife Vashti described the actor as a "beautiful young warrior". Vashti additionally said that he died on a "sunny Sydney morning" in the "arms of his loving wife." Series creator Steven DeKnight, meanwhile, tweeted, "No words to express the depth of such a loss. You will be deeply missed, my brother."
News of Andy's passing came eighteen months after he was diagnosed with the disease. The actor was first diagnosed with Stage 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in early March of 2010 while he was preparing for the second season of the cable series. In January this year, Starz network announced that he will be replaced by another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre.
