FlipBoardAndy Whitfield, the original star of Starz’s surprise hit “Spartacus,” died yesterday at the age of 39 from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was ripped.
The 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, Whitfield’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 the actor. Briefly it seemed Whitfield would make it — he was cleared to start work on season two and made a triumphant return appearance at Comic-Con. But Whitfield 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 Whitfield’s blessing. [EW]
Whitfield is survived by his wife and two children. Man, cancer’s a real assh*le. Go after old people and smokers, cancer. Leave us attractive people with great bodies alone.
My dad has non-Hodgkin’s, which is, like, the ASSHOLIEST name for cancer ever. “Oh, you think you have the easy cancer? The Hodgkin’s? With the 90% cure rate? AAAHHAHAHAAHAHAAHA! No. You have the NON.”
My dad kicked the Non’s ass, and I’m so sorry Mr. Whitfield didn’t. Fuck off, cancer.
This really sucks. I was hoping he’d get healthy and we’d see him pop up somewhere else. He was awesome as Spartacus.
This news really saddens me. My gf and I watched the first episode of Spartacus together and she decided it was just too ridiculous. I chose to stick with it and was surprised by just how good it actually got.
Yeah, RIP. Hate to lose a badass.
@Bronco–at first I thought that you watched the episode with your .gif. Not sure how that would work.
Well said Matt. F**k cancer. RIP Andy star of my favorite series of all time and nicest guy/baddest of badasses.
Poor guy…..
….I haven’t seen the show’s second season…..but between the screamingly gay parts….they showed some decent poon…
He was a really good Spartacus. He was badass enough that I’m actually a little surprise he didn’t win. I mean if the guy who plays Dexter can murder cancer, you’d hope Spartacus could take it.
I watched this because the missus wanted to see it. Andy Whitfield was the main reason for her I think.
Anyway, after the pilot I thought it was shockingly bad, but after a while the series got into shape and turned out to be pretty good.
Was a really nice guy from what I hear.
This is exceptionally sad. He was so young and I really thought he was going to get better :(
If I controlled cancer, I’d go after tattooed people first. You make the herd by stronger by thinning out the weak minded.
Cancer is at it’s shittiest when it attacks the young. R.I.P. Mr. Whitfield.
I loved Andy as Spartacus…he brought him to life and will be deeply missed. So long Champion…
I just found out my friend and Pro Body Builder Art Atwood died of a heart attack on Sunday – he was only 37. In the last few days we’ve lost Spartacus and Hercules!