Nicholas Brendon Dies: ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Star Passes Away at 54
Nicholas Brendon, best known for his role as Xander Harris on the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died Friday in his sleep of natural causes, his family announced. He was 54.
Brendon’s family shared the news with The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon.” They noted that while he had faced past struggles, he was actively receiving treatment for a congenital heart defect and cauda equina syndrome and “was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
The actor’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from his former co-stars. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy Summers, posted on Instagram, quoting a line from the show delivered by Brendon’s character, Xander. “‘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,’” she wrote. “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
David Boreanaz, who portrayed Angel on “Buffy,” too shared a tribute, posting a photo of himself with Brendon and Gellar. Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow Rosenberg, wrote on Instagram, “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP.” Emma Caulfield, who played Anya Jenkins, also expressed her grief in a now-deleted Instagram post, writing, “Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.”
Brendon appeared in all seven seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” from 1997 to 2003, as a central member of the “Scooby Gang,” despite his character lacking supernatural abilities. He also had recurring roles on “Criminal Minds” and other television series.
In a Facebook video posted on March 14, less than a week before his death, Brendon spoke to fans while coughing and appeared unwell. During the 45-minute livestream, he criticized Gellar’s handling of her departure from the show, stating she “sort of f–ked the show, in a way” by informing producers too late in the series, leaving creator Joss Whedon unprepared and unfairly impacting the cast and crew. He also described coughing up smoke and likened his voice to that of the character Bane.
In recent years, Brendon had been focusing on painting and art, sharing his perform with family, friends, and fans, according to his family’s statement. He had been open about his struggles with depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse.
Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Dawn Summers on “Buffy,” died in February 2025 due to complications from diabetes, adding to the recent losses within the show’s cast.