“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,” Brendon’s family stated according to Deadline. “Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create.”
The statement continued by saying, “Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. 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. 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. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”
According to Deadline, Brendon was a series reguar on Buffy the Vampire Slayer alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar (I Know What you Did Last Summer, Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come) who played the lead character, Buffy. Brendon played Xander Harris, the best friend and carpenter across all the show’s seven seasons which aired on The WB and UPN.
After Buffy, Brendon continued working. Deadline reports he appeared in Kitchen Confidential as Seth Richman. He also had roles in Criminal Minds, Private Practice and Faking It. He appeared in films as well, most notably the horror comedy Psycho Beach Party, as well as Demon Island, Big Love, and Coherence.