Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon dead at 54 as ‘heartbroken’ family reveal cause of death

Nicholas Brendon passed away at the age of 54, his family confirmed on Friday.

The actor was best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds.

‘We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,’ his family said in a statement shared on his Instagram account. 

Four of Brendon’s family members were seen posing with him in a group photo that they shared alongside their statement.

His family praised him for his passion for art and his ‘enthusiastic talent’ as they shared photos of him acting as well as some of his paintings.

‘Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years,’ the statement read. 

‘In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art,’ it continued. ‘Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.’ 

His family described the multi-hyphenate artist as ‘passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create.’ 

‘Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.’ 

‘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,’ his family members concluded in their joint statement. 

‘Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.’ 

The statement shared by the late actor’s family was edited, but an earlier version published just hours earlier suggested that Brendon was going through treatment at the time of his death.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, his family previously wrote: ‘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.’ 

In 2023, the actor previously revealed that he had suffered a heartattack and was subsequently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, per the outlet. 

He also once opened up about his addiction struggles, explaining that also played a role in his ongoing health battles, including cauda equina syndrome.

Because he had cauda equina syndrome — the compression of a collection of nerve roots located at the bottom of the spinal cord, per the Cleveland Clinic — he was required to undergo multiple corrective spinal surgeries over the years.

Late last year, Brendon also underwent ‘knee surgery,’ according to his Facebook post in November 2025. 

In Buffy, Brendon played the lovable sidekick to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s titular character, and together, they appeared in all seven seasons of the hit supernatural drama series, which aired from 1997 to 2003. 

He also played recurring roles on Criminal Minds as well as in Kitchen Confidential, a sitcom starring Bradley Cooper and based on Anthony Bourdain’s same-name memoir aired on Fox for only one season. 

In addition to his major television roles, he was also known for starring in the 2000 film adaptation of Charles Busch’s Psycho Beach Party alongside Lauren Ambrose and Amy Adams.

Shortly after the tragic news was announced, his costar Alyson Hannigan was among the first to pay tribute to Brendon on social media. 

The actress, who played Willow Rosenberg in Buffy, took to Instagram as she remembered some of their fond memories. 

‘My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers,’ she wrote alongside a photo of them hugging and crying during an emotional scene.

‘I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP,’ she wrote alongside emojis of a broken heart and a crying expression.