Nicholas Brendon, who shot to fame via his role as Xander Harris in the iconic TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, passed away Friday, March 20.

The actor’s family announced the news in a statement, according to the Hollywood reporter , revealing that he had died from natural causes.

“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. 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. 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.”

Following the success of his tenure on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Brendon was a mainstay in all seven seasons of the show) the actor continued to take film and television roles until as recently as 2021.

Yet away from the cameras, he endured public struggles with substance abuse and mental illness.

The actor was arrested multiple times, facing charges including felony vandalism, resisting or obstructing officers, criminal mischief and felony corporal injury to a spouse.

Brendon revealed in 2023 that he had suffered a heart attack and had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. As per the Hollywood Reporter, he also had cauda equina syndrome – a medical emergency caused by compression of nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord – and had been forced to undergo a number of spinal surgeries.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular ‘Buffy’ in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wrote a heartfelt tribute to her former costar on social media following news of the his passing.

Sharing a 1998 picture of herself and Brendon together, Gellar referenced one of the his character Xander’s most famous lines:

“‘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 realises, because nobody’s watching me’,” she wrote.

Gellar added: “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”

Rest in peace, Nicholas Brendon.