It’s always sad when a talented young man is cut down in his prime. But isn’t it a little extra sad when the guy is really hot too? Andy Whitfield, star of the television series Spartacus, has lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was diagnosed last year, and I honestly thought he was in remission. People Magazine reports that the lymphoma “reoccurred” though. He was 39.
Andy Whitfield, who starred in TV’s Spartacus: Blood and Sand – only to leave the show to treat a recurrence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma – died Sunday of the disease at age 39.
The actor’s wife Vashti said in a statement that the “beautiful young warrior” died on a “sunny Sydney morning” in the “arms of his loving wife,” the Associated Press reports.
Born in Wales and a resident of Australia, Whitfield was preparing for a second season in September 2010 when he announced that he would not be returning to the Starz series so he could undergo aggressive cancer treatment. He was replaced by actor Liam McIntyre.
In Whitfield’s statement, he said, “It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey.”
[From People]
By all reports, Whitfield was a really lovely guy, adored and respected by his coworkers, friends and family. It’s such a loss for Hollywood, for the people who loved him, and for his fans. So sad.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
So, so, so sad. Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family.
I was devastated last night when I read this news. I loved Spartacus: Blood and Sand; and he was so strong, so full of life and energy (and yes, SEXY) in that show. He will be truly missed.
i didn’t know him ,i never saw Spartacus but it’s always sad to die so young RIP
This is so sad. 39 is entirely too young.
I was definitely a fan and was so sad when I heard this. My sympathy goes out to his wife and family, he will be missed. R.I.P. Andy.
I am so, so sad. I am sending warm thoughts to his family and friends. He was wonderful in Spartacus; I don’t know if I can even watch the new season without him in it. RIP Andy.
I was a fan of Spartacus and especially Andy, This is so sad.
@bellaluna…that’s what makes it so very sad, he was so young and full of life. He was perfect as Spartacus.
May he R.I.P
I feel for his family and friends to have to endure this traject news.
I read that he had two young children, too. Terrible news.
The husband and I LOVE Sparticus Blood & Sand. We were so upset to learn about his battle, and missed him desperately in Season 2 of Sparticus. I know I didn’t know him, but I did shed a tear upon reading this. He was incredibly talented, and yes, extremely hot. Sparticus will NOT be the same without him 🙁
Loved watching Spartacus and was so sad when he had to leave the show. They made it pretty clear when he left that he was pretty darn sick. I facebooked this to my boyfriend and he was a sad panda 🙁
My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.
@original bellaluna- my thoughts exactly.
There was something magnetic about him in Spartacus. His eyes (among other things) drew me in. I am married but I had a huge crush on him 😉 So, so sad. Especially, after being emotionally drained from all the 9/11 coverage yesterday. Wahhh! So sad for his wife and kids.
Very sad. Though he left his show for health reason, I’m betting it gave him a lot more time with his family, which is good. My condolences to them.
This is horrible news. Just when his star was rising, he was taken. Not to mention that he had a wife and two small children and was gorgeous. So sad.
This is so sad, I loved Spartacus and episodes without him just were not the same. God bless his wife and kids during this difficult time.
I didnt know him but really sad.
Andrew Whitfield was a beautiful actor and I adored him in ‘Spartacus’. By all accounts, this admirable young man will be greatly missed.
We have such a short time on this planet. I mourn his passing.
I’m a fan of this show. Andy took it too a level that no one else will. His talent will be missed. RIP.
My goodness he is beautiful. My prayers go out to his family.
too bad. may is soul rest in peace.
The world will miss him
RIP
My heart goes out to his wife and family. It is so sad to see such a talented actor cut down in the prime of his life.
So very sad! My heart breaks for his family. Cancer is such a monster.
I was so sad to hear about his death. Andy was phenomenal as Spartacus. He brought such grace and dignity to the role. It’s going to be so hard watching the new season without him in it. My best wishes to his family. You will be sorely missed Andy.
I was so sad when I read this. I was very much awaiting his return in Season 3. He was a gorgeous man and very talented actor. It was definitely something about those eyes. My thoughts and prayers to his family at such a difficult time.
Oh man. RIP Andy 🙁
I really liked him on Spartacus. Sad.
How very sad; so young. RIP.
RIP Andy you gorgeous talented man! Heartbroken for his family…My Spartacus, irreplaceable!
No, it isn’t a little extra sad when it’s a hot guy. However, such a wildly inappropriate comment did kind of make me sad.
No! What a shock!
I thought about him a lot, hoping he would be better soon. Somehow I never thought he would pass away.
He was great in Spartacus and really nice in interviews, all the actors seemed to miss him a lot when he couldn’t make it back.
So sad, poor guy.
Saw him in “Gabriel” and was left speechless by his presence on screen … those eyes … and then “Spartacus” happened … and now this? It’s just not fair. May his soul rest in peace & all the best to his wife and children …
I am currently undergoing aggressive chemo for stage 4b cervical cancer; diagnosed in Dec ’10. I was given 3 months but am still fighting. I am 39. When I read this I burst into tears. My heart breaks for his wife and small children. Anywhere, anyway messages of condolance can be posted; should be. They will serve as comforting reminders of how this husband and father touched lives and will be remembered. Every little bit helps.
Now I want to cry.
flamingo, I wish you all the luck in the world.
Andy seems like he would be such a great guy to meet, prayers for his family and friends.
I was waiting for your next episode, i was only distracted by the season 2 where u never feature, things that happend before you came into the ludos of Quintus lentulius Batiatus, now all hope is lost bcos you are gone, no one can take your place, rest in peace Champion of capua , the rain bringer, slayer of theokales the shadow of death.
He’ll be missed. Such a young n talented man, r.i.p andy
I’ve never seen a thing that he’s in, yet I still can’t help but feel sad at his passing. My condolences to his family and friends. I hope he didn’t suffer as he left this life.
So very sad. RIP.
Ugh, he had babies and a wife. So handsome and young and talented, RIP.
@Flamingo- Keep fighting & stay strong! All my best wishes!
I had hoped the “no news is good news” for his fight but read last night that he had passed on. So sorry for his wife and children. He brought dignity to his role as Spartacus.
I literally gasped last night when this popped up on my twitter feed. I thought he’d beat it. It’s so sad. He seemed like a really great guy. I feel so bad for his young kids and his wife.
@Flamingo when my mother was diagnosed with Cancer they told her even if she did well in Chemo with her cancer she would live 1-5 years. She will have survived 11 years this December. My mother was treated by the best cancer specialist in the nation….show how much they know. Never give up hope, stay positive. Sending good vibes and happy dream to you and your family.
Sequined Pajamas
I was a huge fan of Andy’s. Always recommended him for hot guy Friday. I was heartbroken last night reading about his death. I was sad when He left the show but never expected this. My thoughts go out to his family and friends 🙁
I loved Sparticus, the series was really violent but he was so great in it. I thought he was in remission too, how sad. May he rest in peace.
So sad 🙁 So young, too. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Far too young to go. RIP.
Definitely with RobN on this… What kind of disgusting thing is that to say?
This is the first time I’ve heard of him — so sad! What presence! The eyes and cheekbones are stunning! What a loss for his family and the world. RIP.
loved him in spartacus – beautiful inside and outside by all accounts 🙁
My thoughts & prayers to his family. He was excellent on Sparticus.
I’m not making accusations, but non-Hodgkin lymphoma is VERY COMMON among steroid users.
Loved Spartacus and thought he did an awesome job. His eyes! I can’t see anyone wearing the loin cloth quite like him.
I know how it feels to lose someone close, to Cancer. My prayers are with his family. Very sad
I watched Spartacus for one reason only. To see a shirtless Andy Whitfield.
I feel so horrible for his wife and kids. His children were so young, I doubt they understand what happened. Lymphoma can be brutal. It can take someone down real quick.
My heart breaks for his wife. That’s way, way too soon to lose the love of your life.
when i read this morning that he died,my heart broke.i really,really thought he would make it through the battle.I am really sad and I wish he is happy and peaceful where he is.I hope he knows that he impacted people’s lives and that he will never be forgotten.I can’t watch Spartacus anymore because for me,he was the show.I pray to God to give strength to his family and loved ones. R.I.P. Andy 🙁
so sad.
@ flamingo- stay strong and don’t ever give up hope. 6 yrs ago my uncle was diagnosed with cancer and was only given weeks to live. 6 yrs and 3 kids later he’s still here. @ the truth fairy- your pathetic shut up.
So, so sad. Far too young. RIP Andy.
Whoa, that’s so fast and tragic. Dang cancer! 😐
I am still in shock because I thought he was doing well!
I gasped and burst into tears when I read this. My Mom came rushing over, asking what was wrong and when I showed her, she got really upset about it too. She knew how much I adored and rooted for Andy’s recovery. Cancer’s a bitch. I’ve lost 3 people so far over the last year and a half to cancer. My Dad, my best friend and my cousin. Andy was only 4 years older than my cousin. My thoughts and prayers go to his wife, his children, his friends and his family. Andy, you WILL be missed.
This reminds me of Mark Frankel dying in a motorcycle accident after doing Kindred: The Embraced.
Wow, and Eddie Cibrian is still fine? Great.
This is too sad, what a big loos
RIP so so sad
So sorry for he and his family. Please check a video tribute to Andy Withfield here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv8tXMsgdEk
It’s crazy to cry for someone you didn’t even know, but I did.
My heart breaks for his family 🙁
Da&* this is so sad. Very good-looking man but he’s not in pain anymore.
Oh I’ve just started watching Spartacus. Didn’t know Andy was ill. Was genuinely shocked to read of his passing…my knees went weak. My thoughts are with his family. Not fair. Tx to poster noting he was in Gabriel…knew I’d seen him in something else too.
R.I.P