RIP: Nicholas Brendon, BUFFY’s ‘Xander’ dies aged 54…

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. 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,” his family said in a statement. “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.”

Brendon appeared in all but one episode of Buffy, which ran for seven seasons. There had been talking about a reboot of the series and the possibility of some of the original cast reprising their roles as guest-stars at some point – however New Sunnydale is now not going forward at hulu.

After the original series, Brendon appeared in Kitchen Confidential playing pastry chef Seth Richman. The series also starred Bradley Cooper and Jaime King. He had a recurring role in 21 episodes of Criminal Minds playing Kevin Lynch, the tech-whiz love interest for Kirsten Vangness’s Penelope Garcia. He also appeared on Private Practice, and Faking It.

Films included the comedy Psycho Beach Party alongside Lauren Ambrose. Other films he starred in included Demon Island (2002), Unholy (2007), Blood on the Highway (2008), Big Gay Love (2013), and Coherence (2013) alongside Elizabeth Gracen. His last screen credit was in the 2024 horror movie Christmas Slasher.

Brendon, who had an identical twin (Kelly Donovan, who actually appeared in Buffy  as the other half of Xander’s personality that got split-off in one episode The Replacement) did have addiction issues, had a very public battle with sobriety, and there were several instances where there were claims of physical abuse towards women… all alienating a lot of people in the process, but he seemed to have had a more settled life in recent years and his death is said to have been due to natural causes. Brendon did reveal that in 2023 that he had suffered a heart attack and had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

Brendon’s co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Dawn, passed away in 2025. Several of his surviving Buffy co-stars have reacted to Friday’s news:

“’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 realizes, because nobody’s watching me’” I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky,” Sarah Michelle Gellar posted.

“There are people you work with and then there are people you share time with. Nick was the latter. Some moments stay small on paper, a laugh between takes, a look that says we got this, the quiet understanding of showing up and doing the work together. But those are the things that last. He carried something real, not perfect, not polished, just real. And in this business, that matters more than most things. We don’t always get to choose how long someone stays in the story, only that they were here. And he was …Rest easy Brother. Some people leave a mark without trying,” David Boreanaz wrote in another tribute.

“My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers,” Alyson Hannigan (who starred as Xander’s best friend Willow in the show) said in an online posting. “I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP”

“My heart is heavy,” Emma Caulfield (who played ex-fiancee  Anya) wrote on her Instagram and posted a clip of her duet with Brendon from the musical episode Once More with Feeling. “I can’t put into words just how this has hit me. Let this clip of us giving it our all be a placeholder. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.”

Charisma Carpenter ( who played Cordelia Chase) posted: ” I will miss the version of the man I once knew – someone who was so warm and loving. He was cuddly, funny, silly, self-deprecating, and supremely talented. I loved every scene we had together back in the day. He always kept me on my toes, never delivering a line the same way twice, forcing me to become a better actor by listening.”