Nicholas Brendon’s ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ co-stars honor him with heartfelt tributes
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Co-stars of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' are paying tribute to Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing Xander and being part of the beloved Scooby gang.
Brendon died at 54, with his family confirming that he died on Friday, March 20, “in his sleep of natural causes.”
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ cast post emotional tributes after Nicholas Brendon’s death
Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' shared an emotional message: “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP.”
Emma Caulfield, who played Anya, also paid tribute. She shared a video of Nicholas Brendon talking about their duet 'I’ll Never Tell' from the musical episode 'Once More, With Feeling.'
She wrote, “My heart is heavy. I can’t put into words just how this has hit me. Let this clip of us giving it our all be a placeholder. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you.”
Brendon starred in the show alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anthony Head, James Marsters, and Michelle Trachtenberg, who died in February 2025 due to complications from diabetes.
At the time of his death, Brendon had been dealing with serious health issues, including a congenital heart defect and Cauda equina syndrome, a condition caused by nerve damage at the base of the spine.
Nicholas Brendon’s family says his paintings were one of the purest reflections of who he was
The family of Nicholas Brendon shared their grief in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying, “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son. 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."
They remembered the actor as passionate, sensitive, and creative. “Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years,” they said. “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."
They added, “Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was."
Brendon also spoke fondly about his time on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' In a 2014 interview, he said the most rewarding part of his career was “getting to play Xander and be part of this world even now.” He added, “It was just a really great show people could identify with. I think it’s also become really popular on Netflix and Hulu; people tell me now that they’re watching it on Netflix with their kids."
He explained why fans connected with his character, saying, “He was the everyman—he didn’t have powers, he wasn’t a vampire. He’s easy to relate to because he’s just a guy trying to get through the day.”
