By Osagie Alonge
Andy Whitfield, star actor of the popular cable series ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’ has died. The actor passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2011 after suffering from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Whitfield died at the age of 39.
The actor who died in Sydney, Australia, had been diagnosed 18 months ago, his manager Sam Maydew told the Associated Press.
‘On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer’, Whitfield’s wife Vashti said in a statement.
‘He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have helped carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was’, she continued.
Whitfield gained his first prominent role in the Australian supernatural film Gabriel but it was his role as the legendary Thracian slave in ‘Spartacus’ that turned him into a global star. The series which revolved around violence and sexuality became very popular and so did Whitfield as he appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010. He was preparing to shoot the second season when he was diagnosed with cancer.
‘No words to express the depth of such a loss. You will be deeply missed, my brother’, Steven DeKnight, the creator of Spartacus, said.
‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield’, Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. ‘We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in ‘Spartacus’ and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life’.
Whitfield was married twice and has two children.
21 comments
Andy u left so soon when we are still xpecting more 4rm u. We luv u but he loves u more. Rest In d bossom of lord in Peace
wat a sad news…. may ur soul rest in perfect peace
What a HERO (WHITFIELD) We love you but God love most,may your gentle soul rest in peace…
We love but GOD love u most! Rest in peace Brother!
Loads of love to you even at grave side… We love you.
May his soul rest in perfect peace
i have been waitin for more from you when suddenly i had u are gone we love u whitfield but he that giveth love u most.
What’s a big loss? Rest In Peace.
We love you but God love you more than us so that they will no be more sin on your neck or hand rest in peace amen.
We love you but God love you more than us so that they will not be more sin on your neck or hand ur rest in peace amen.
Indeed a genius is gone.my heart is filled with tears.
this is a great hearth brake andy we love u. R.I.P
So sad, watched the entire season of spartacus at once, could not take my eys of it. Was so looking forward to season too….too many young people leaving so soon….
Gone too soon my hero nd legend..RIP
How i wish i was present when u passed on jst 2 watch u close ur eye n say d last word 2 ur dear family n friends bt distance woun’t permit. Adieu my brave SPATACUS.
SPARTACUSSS!Arh itz painin me o.wit dip sadness,mehn my man ur the best i av eva seen.rest in d bossom of ur king.andy
Till we meet to part no more R.I.P
May his champion soul rest in peace
i still watch spartarcus season one just because of ANDY such a talent gone to soon RIP
He who giveth also taketh, may your gentle soul rest in the bosom of our God almighty
I was so shocked and so very sad to hear Andy Whitfield died of Cancer.He had the ability to make you feel you knew him just from watching him in Spartacus. 39 is no age.My thoughts and prayers go to his wife and children. He will be missed and remembered. God Bless.