Before Nicholas Brendon died on March 20 at the age of 54, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum and his sister had discussed his health diagnoses, including cauda equina syndrome and a heart defect.
I was shocked to hear of Nick‘s passing on social media, even though I’d known he’d been struggling for a long time. It’s one thing to expect it, but another to actually hear the news. RIP Nick. I hope he’s at peace now.
My personal development tutor has said we cannot know another person’s experience, and I feel I’m learning that more and more.
I do think he was great at portraying Xander, and the show wouldn’t have been the same without him. While I don’t agree with everything Xander said, there needed to be a constant male main character. Xander cared deeply about his friends, even when he didn’t always show it well. Emotional openness among boys wasn’t the norm when the show first aired, and I think that’s important context.
I wondered if any of the other cast members would post anything. After Nick was blacklisted from the reunion special, I wondered how many of them still kept in contact because it felt like a lot of them distances themselves because of Nick's legal troubles.
Just so sad to have lost two of the main actors on the show now. 😢
I wondered if any of the other cast members would post anything. After Nick was blacklisted from the reunion special, I wondered how many of them still kept in contact because it felt like a lot of them distances themselves because of Nick's legal troubles.
Just so sad to have lost two of the main actors on the show now. 😢
Thanks for posting those. Nick had a lot of problems, and committed some crimes that should not be glossed over (like @Btvs fan mentions), but we all are more than our worst parts. I think a lot of the cast members, especially SMG, are acknowledging that, even though some of them may not have been in touch with him recently because of those problems.
Sad, but not surprising. He was looking seriously ill for a long time. Addiction and depression are such demons.
We all hoped he would pull through and get better, but sadly even if you want to get better which I think he did by the end, the after effects of it can sneak up on you the older you get.
The 90s is honestly a tragic generation of genre tv stars. So many have gone before their time from that era, more so than previous eras.
Kevin Tod Smith, who played Ares in Xena, died not long after the show in a horrific accident.
Andy Hallet and Glen Quinn from Angel, both dead in their 30s.
Michelle Trachtenberg dead in her 30s.
Shannen Doherty and Julian McMahon from Charmed both died decades before their time in their early to mid 50s.
Then of course there is the cast of Babylon 5 where most of them didn't make 60.
Now Nicholas Brendon only in his early 50s.
Again contrast that with the 60s and most of the cast of shows like Star Trek TOS, Lost in Space, 60s era Who made it to ripe old age, and even those who died reasonably young like Hartnell, Guy Williams, Jacqueline Hill still at least made it to their mid to late 60s.
Horrible tragedies, but just goes to show you how unpredictable and fragile life is.
NotASlayerI am honestly not certain whether anyone would want to risk being in a B5 revival.
This was a shock to read even though his life had taken some turns that were not good. But I have been around long enough to know the difference between what someone is actually like and what is said about him. They are two different things. If the conventional assessment is true. rest in peace. If it is not true, rest in peace.
RIP to someone that brought so much joy to so many of us. He didn’t sound perfect, but are any of us? We’re all flawed in so many ways. It’s what makes us human, and he was human.
Sorry, but this comment is in very poor taste. Nick wasn't a saint, but he was a human being, and he didn't deserve to die this young. Of course I am not excluding domestic violence but just know that addiction makes you do things out of character.
Also, so I've been thinking about this non stop since I heard the news, and was trying to figure out why I feel so emotional about this.
Many people in my family and people I have loved and and do struggle with addiction. It's a true tragedy. I wish taking about addiction and asking for help wasn't so taboo. The truth is, there is no shame in asking for help. And recovery is not linear. It's a daily struggle. I know Nick struggled a lot. And he tried to beat his addiction and the Demons won. And it's just really sad. I don't know. I guess I'm just rambling but...I guess what I'm trying to say is that the people who suffer are the ones who love the addict. So I'm just going to take a moment to feel the pain Nick's family and friends are feeling now. People that young don't just die in their sleep. I'm sure it was related to his addiction. Anyway. May he rest in peace.
I was eating dinner when I saw the news, and literally put my hand over my mouth, I was so shocked. I couldn't even finish my dinner. This one hits close to home for me.
I wondered if any of the other cast members would post anything. After Nick was blacklisted from the reunion special, I wondered how many of them still kept in contact because it felt like a lot of them distances themselves because of Nick's legal troubles.
Just so sad to have lost two of the main actors on the show now. 😢
24K likes, 856 comments - antony_hodorowsky on March 21, 2026: "What is known about the death of Nicholas Brandon It is known that the actor died on Friday. — It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our brother and son, Nicholas Brandon. He died in his sleep from natural causes...
TaakeEven if DB didn’t want him at the reunion, if that is indeed true, doesn’t mean he can’t regret NB passing? Not wanting to hang out with an addict doesn’t mean indifference…
Just wanted to throw in my condolences to Nick's family & friends.
I smoke, I guess that I'm addicted to that and have been for over 30 years now. I used to gamble, a lot - I haven't now for over 25 years and it's a struggle when I see and hear my friends telling me that they won betting on a football (soccer to you American's) game or on a race horse or other. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them, but I don't want to know if truth be told.
Whatever his sins where, they're were in the past and everyone deserves a second chance or maybe even a third. Don't judge him now as if he had any remaining secrets before his passing they'll likely emerge now after he's gone and he can't defend himself -- just my personal opinion by the way. I know that when it's my time there won't be many mourning me - and, without going into detail, I have to say, that I don't/won't blame them.
Nick is dead. He can't misbehave anymore. He can't make amends any more. He can neither hurt nor help anyone. He can't defend himself. What would be the point in meditating about what an awful man he was?
Sorry, but this comment is in very poor taste. Nick wasn't a saint, but he was a human being, and he didn't deserve to die this young. Of course I am not excluding domestic violence but just know that addiction makes you do things out of character.
Also, so I've been thinking about this non stop since I heard the news, and was trying to figure out why I feel so emotional about this.
Many people in my family and people I have loved and and do struggle with addiction. It's a true tragedy. I wish taking about addiction and asking for help wasn't so taboo. The truth is, there is no shame in asking for help. And recovery is not linear. It's a daily struggle. I know Nick struggled a lot. And he tried to beat his addiction and the Demons won. And it's just really sad. I don't know. I guess I'm just rambling but...I guess what I'm trying to say is that the people who suffer are the ones who love the addict. So I'm just going to take a moment to feel the pain Nick's family and friends are feeling now. People that young don't just die in their sleep. I'm sure it was related to his addiction. Anyway. May he rest in peace.
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I was eating dinner when I saw the news, and literally put my hand over my mouth, I was so shocked. I couldn't even finish my dinner. This one hits close to home for me.
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Yes, many have.
I was surprised to see DB even did considering he was the one who didn't want Nick at the reunion.
24K likes, 856 comments - antony_hodorowsky on March 21, 2026: "What is known about the death of Nicholas Brandon It is known that the actor died on Friday. — It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our brother and son, Nicholas Brandon. He died in his sleep from natural causes...
I didn't want him to die and I feel for his family but I don't see why his actions and what happened to his victims should be brushed under the rug simply because he played a character in a TV show we liked
I didn't want him to die and I feel for his family but I don't see why his actions and what happened to his victims should be brushed under the rug simply because he played a character in a TV show we liked
I think you can acknowledge someone's passing and the fact that he participated in something that meant a great deal to many of us, without pretending the bad didn't happen. JMHO.
This is very sad news. Nick's passing means that he can never have a redemptive return to good fortune, his life is more of an air of tragedy now, meaning his fairly early passing hits harder.
For all his faults Nick gave many people a lot of joy. There are many more beloved actors have done far worse and are still celebrated for their roles to this day, just because what they did was before the advent of social media. Many people need to show more charity and have some perspective.
I'm sorry we lost Nick. I liked Xander and Cordy back in the days. Then I liked Xander and Anya. I think his character was a good guy and mostly likable and funny.
As for Nick himself. I didn't really know him. I just knew he had a lot of problems over the last couple of years as his life. I had hoped he would get better.
But just like Matthew Perry addiction got to him. Although the official cause of death for Nick is not addiciton, but some heart condition he was born with. Or at least that's what's being reported in the news.
People who are about my age or 10 years older dying is making me feel old.
I don't think anyone was watching but Rachel Capani's death in december also hit me hard. She was my age. She was Jodi on Aussie show McLeod's Daughter's.
Luke Perry also died of a heart attack at age 52. I remember being really sad about that.
I heard of Nick's death from my dad. I was on my way out with a friend. I brushed it aside, I wasn't so shocked since I knew he had problems, just like Matthew Perry. It wasn't like last year when Michelle died. That came out of nowhere. Still I am sad for Nick too. He died on my birthday. 🙁
I wasn't aware that Nick had a fall out with his old co-stars. It's sad. I think Charisma posted a lovely tribute to him. Sarah's tribute was nice too. My thoughts and condolances are with his friends and fans and also his co-stars. But most of all with his family. I especially think of his twin brother Donovan. It must be so horrible to lose an identical twin. It's like losing a part of yourself. I hope Nick will rest in peace. 🙁
Buffy SummersOh wow I hadn't heard Rachel had passed :(
Mott1I think this is a fitting tribute. It must be awful for Donovan, who of course also appeared on the show so memorably. Sad that Nicholas had such a troubled life, the time after BTVS finished must have been particularly tough for him. RIP.
There's an old saying which goes something like this:
You learn more about someone by walking a mile in their shoes
Which I'm thinking means that you (not you in particular Kratos, not having a go at you) shouldn't judge someone by their actions in this life be those actions good or bad - they were/are living their life to the best of their ability right now (assuming they are still alive).
Yes, judge a person in a court of law if they've committed a crime but think about:
- Why they did what they did?
- What where the underlying reasons for them behaving that way?
- Could they have done things differently if circumstance(s) earlier in life had made them turn left instead of right? (metaphor there but you get the point hopefully)....
Don't judge a book by its cover - read the whole thing - then decide.
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