Vale: Andy Whitfield
Actor Andy Whitfield, who played the lead role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died in Sydney at just 39 years of age.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Actor Andy Whitfield, who played the lead role in Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died in Sydney at just 39 years of age.
His manager Sam Maydew said Whitfield died yesterday of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Whitfield was diagnosed 18 months ago causing the Starz series to create a spin-off Spartacus: Gods of the Arena with actor Dustin Clare. While he had hoped to recover for the second season, Whitfield was forced to withdraw and actor Liam McIntyre was cast in the title role.
Whitfield’s wife Vashti in a statement called her husband a “beautiful young warrior” who died on a “sunny Sydney morning” in the “arms of his loving wife”.
Welsh born Whitfield was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the title hero in Spartacus. His other television roles included McLeod’s Daughters, Packed to the Rafters, The Strip, All Saints and a movie role in Gabriel.
Source: Daily Telegraph
Corrected.
41 Responses
Awww, really shocked at this.
Thoughts are with his family.
Very sad news indeed, I never watched spartacus but he is so young; such a shame just when he was getting to a peak point in his life.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP.
I hope he went peacefully, RIP
So very sad to hear that. My condolences to his family and friends.
What a huge shock! He was great in the role. Very sad indeed.
That’s sad news.
Too young.
RIP.
Fine actor who pass away too early, rest in peace Andy.
Very sad
Only yesterday I was at the video store wanting to hire the series. I think he would’ve had a huge career if not for the illness
He did a great job in Spartacus! It became his show!! All the best for his family
So sad.
Rest In Peace Andy Whitfield.
When people battle illness for such a long time you just take it s part and paracel of who they are and expect them to still live for a decent age, like Jane Mc Grath.
This illness should never define him, except for his dignity and strength, and for him to be remembered as the talent he was.
R.I.P.
I’m so sad to hear this. I hadn’t
realised that his illness had progressed so far –
earlier reports had sounded so positive.
Since Spartacus, I’d started to notice him in
his previous roles…
I thought he was Welsh born, though…
RIP Andy I’ll miss you.
So, so sad to hear this news. Somehow I just expected that he would recover.
(David, Andy was actually born and raised in Wales)
Andy had real star quality. A gem.
So young. RIP Andy.
Terrible. Poor guy!
You hear about these people, and you hope, even expect that they will get better. Then when you hear that they have died, the penny drops, he’s not coming back.
How sad for his family and friends.
Another star in Heaven RIP
Wow, I am actually quite sad by this.
I had really hoped and just expected he’d get better and move onto bigger and better things. Enjoyed his turn and Spartacus and from what i’d seen of him outside it, interviews ect. he genuinely seemed like a great guy.
Thoughts go out to his family.
Very sad.
Very sad indeed.
This is so sad. My thoughts are with the family.
rest in peace, Andy.
So sad, just when his acting career was taking off… God Bless you, Andy.