Andy's Gone Already

The beautiful Andy Whitfield has died of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Sydney. The 39 year old Wales native was diagnosed 18 months ago while preparing for the second season of Spartacus. Though he was an relative unknown when the show started, Andy's performance was so strong and iconic that production on season two was halted for about a year in an attempt to give Whitfield time to recover from the disease. During that time, producers shot a prequel series titled Gods of the Arena without Andy. Briefly it seemed he would make it — he was cleared to start work on season two and made a triumphant return appearance at Comic-Con. But Andy soon relapsed. Faced with the decision of either cancelling the series or recasting, Starz and producers opted to hire newcomer Liam McIntyre for the lead role, with Andy's blessing.

“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 cited by the Associated Press. “He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.”

Andy has left behind his wife, Vashta and two young children, a son aged 6 and a three year old daughter.  Our love goes to his family and our respect to a man who faced this hideous disease with quiet courage and grace.

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