'Spartacus' star dies at age 39

[Doc Holliday]

Andy Whitfield, who starred as the lead character in the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Sydney, Australia. Spartacus was the Wales native’s first big break; most of his previous work was in Australian television.

Whitfield was diagnosed 18 months ago while preparing for the second season of Spartacus. Starz announced in January that Liam McIntyre, another Australian actor, would take over the role.

In a statement, Whitfield’s wife Vashti called her husband a “beautiful young warrior who died on a “sunny Sydney morning” in her arms.
“No words to express the depth of such a loss. You will be deeply missed, my brother,” said Spartacus creator Steven DeKnight on Twitter.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig7bRVbIXDk/TbWcbRY7-7I/AAAAAAAAAik/Qmc6ZvUAPKw/s1600/andy-whitfield-1-1.jpg

 

[McFly]

Sad. Really sad.

Thanks for sharing this with us Doc.

 

[Franklin's Tower]

Agreed McFly... Very sad... Was a great show, great lead actor.

Thanks Doc.

 

[Montreal2008]

This is really a shocking news. I just bought the Spartacus DVD ( completel first season ) for $15.99 ( 80% off the original price)from Borders, when Borders went bankruptcy. I just hope the second season is as good as the first season.

 

[Doc Holliday]

This is really a shocking news. I just bought the Spartacus DVD ( completel first season ) for $15.99 ( 80% off the original price)from Borders, when Borders went bankruptcy. I just hope the second season is as good as the first season.

The second installment of this great series is called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. It's as good as the first season (Spartacus: Blood & Sand), but it is a prequel. It's how the characters we saw in season one came to be before the arrival of Spartacus.

The series 'Spartacus' might just be one of my favorite series ever. It has a lot of sex, nudity, orgy scenes, etc....but be warned, it's probably the goriest you'll ever see on tv or in a movie. Lots & lots of blood, decapitations, etc. And a great story......

 

[Montreal2008]

Thank you for the 411, Doc.

 

[Merlot]

Hello all,

Andi Whitfield made the part of "Spartacus" his own. When I heard late last year of his tragic affliction it was very sad to hear about it with one so young and seemingly so healthy on the surface, but he also seemed so perfect for the film role that I couldn't imagine anyone else in it.

The Starz series itself is more violent and far more full of nudity and sex than HBOs "ROME", and just as deliciously full of devious vile creatures. It's probably the most brutal television or cable series I've ever seen physically and emotionally. An associate of mine wouldn't believe me when I told him about it and how far it went, after he totally agreed.

I was looking forward to several seasons of Spartacus with Whitfield in the lead, and disappointed the producers chose to circumvent moving the story forward due to Whitfield's situation with a prequel. I haven't watched it yet.

Rest in peace,

Merlot

 

[CharlotteSinclair]

I really enjoyed both shows.

This is terribly sad for his family. Obviously he was someone who worked out and was in amazing shape. I am not saying we should not care for ourselves because with cancer its hopeless, but it says to me that no one immune. Cherish every day.