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    'Spartacus' star Whitfield dies of lymphoma at 39

    By ANDREW DALTON - Associated Press | AP – Sun, Sep 11, 2011

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andy Whitfield, who played the title role in the hit cable series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died at age 39, according to representatives and family.

    Whitfield died Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, manager Sam Maydew told the Associated Press.

    "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. "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 Whitfield — who was born in Wales and moved to Australia in 1999 — was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in "Spartacus," a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film.

    The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality.

    Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer.

    While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," that aired earlier this year with only a brief voiceover from the actor.

    But in January after Whitfield's condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

    "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. "We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in 'Spartacus' and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life."

    Whitfield's previous credits included appearances on the Australian TV shows "Packed to the Rafters" and "McLeod's Daughters."

     
     
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    8,310 comments

    • Cynthia
      Cynthia  •  Rutland, Vermont  •  3 mths ago
      Spartacus is an awesome series. Its so sad to see Andy Whitfield gone. He will be missed!
    • angeline
      angeline  •  Morris Plains, New Jersey  •  3 mths ago
      ahhhhhh!!!! im sooo sad! i was crying all night long while watching the end of season 1.... I want Andy back!!!! =(
    • Jerry S
      Jerry S  •  Little Rock, Arkansas  •  4 mths ago
      I watcher the new series last night, and the new actor is good....but he isn't Andy.
      Andy was the true Spartacus and as good as the show may be...it would be
      better with Andy. I pray to God he is with him and I will buy the DVD set.
      My heart goes out to his family. May God bless them.
    • Vin Anthony
      Vin Anthony  •  Manila, Philippines  •  5 mths ago
      so sad, i've been enjoying watch Spartacus. may he rest in peace. hope there could be another set or a sequel to Spartacus..,what do you think?
    • Hapshetsup
      Hapshetsup  •  6 mths ago
      Man....RIP dude...
    • Ifiok Edem
      Ifiok Edem  •  5 mths ago
      too too bad...pretty bad
    • Richard
      Richard  •  6 mths ago
      its not the same spartacus...... andy is the man.... rip brother
    • Jacqueline Hubbard
      Jacqueline Hubbard  •  8 mths ago
      SO SAD TO LOSE SUCH A YOUNG HANDSOME ACTOR IN THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE. HE MUST HAVE BEEN A GOOD SOUL TO LEAVE SO YOUNG. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY. HE WON'T BE FORGOTTEN.
    • EMRISE.CORP.
      EMRISE.CORP.  •  8 mths ago
      that was best series....RIP
    • A Yahoo! User  •  8 mths ago
      Yes So Sad ANDY We will miss you, rest in peace mighty Warrior , yes its true i had a man crush on this dude , SPARTACUS is Andy Whitfield Period there is no substitute.....
    • *¨Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨*
      *¨Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ¨*  •  8 mths ago
      my dad died of the same cancer this year :/ gosh r.i.p andy
    • Jerry
      Jerry  •  8 mths ago
      Go with God.
    • MerriMagic
      MerriMagic  •  8 mths ago
      How Sad. Thank goodness he had family around him at the end.
    • Leroche
      Leroche  •  8 mths ago
      My sincere condolences to his entire family. Lets all be thankful he was with us for the time he was and celebrate his life. When anyone passes it changes the course of humanity. Andy left his mark by sharing his talents with all of us and he made a difference. Although we cannot understand why we had to lose him, lets be thankful we had time with him. I wish to thank his parents and family for giving him to us and let them know the hurt of his loss will not ever leave but through time you will find your way to live on for him. I lost my youngest daughter to cancer October of 2001, she was 17. I miss her physical presence but feel her with me each day I wake. Like Andy she taught me the dignity in living and dying. Draw your strength from this and lets celebrate the good in having had them.
    • glad
      glad  •  8 mths ago
      MAY HE REST IN PEACE:
    • Cindy
      Cindy  •  8 mths ago
      god bless his family
    • Mychele
      Mychele  •  8 mths ago
      wow he was so hot. that face and that body along with an accent, we will miss you.
    • Cindy
      Cindy  •  8 mths ago
      god bless his family
    • G
      G  •  8 mths ago
      So sad. R.I.P.
    • mr good-lookinz
      mr good-lookinz  •  8 mths ago
      WOW - what a shock - I knew he was sick but did not realize to that extent. The Spartacus series was excellent and I hope the new actor can fill Andy's shoes. It's kinda depressing to see someone go at a young age like that - must enjoy the time we have!
     Post a comment
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