Sarah Michelle Gellar pays tribute to Buffy co-star Nicholas Brendon
By Carla Feric and Jessica Coates, Press Association
American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid tribute to Nicholas Brendon, her Buffy The Vampire Slayer co-star, after his death aged 54.
Brendon was best known for his role on the 1990s cult supernatural drama which also starred Alyson Hannigan and David Boreanaz.
His “heartbroken” family announced on social media on Friday that the US actor had died in his sleep of “natural causes”.
Gellar, 48, shared a photo to her five million followers on Instagram as she paid tribute.
She wrote: “They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me.
She added: “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
Boreanaz posted a picture of the pair during their time on the show, and wrote: “There are people you work with and then there are people you share time with. Nick was the latter.”
He described Brendon as “real” and added: “We don’t always get to choose how long someone stays in the story, only that they were here. And he was… Rest easy brother. Some people leave a mark without trying.”
Brendon rose to fame as Xander Harris, the loyal best friend of Gellar’s Buffy Summers and Willow Rosenberg, played by Hannigan, on the show created by Joss Whedon, which aired from 1997 to 2003.
Hannigan shared a photo of the pair from the show, writing: “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 former demon Anya Jenkins – Brendon’s on-off love interest on the show – shared a video of the actor on Instagram, alongside a broken heart emoji and the caption: “I love you Nicky.”
In a statement on X on Friday, Brendon’s family wrote: “Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art.”
In the post, which included photos of Brendon through the years, his family remembered him as “passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create”.
After Buffy The Vampire Slayer ended, Brendon had recurring roles as cyber expert Kevin Lynch on seven seasons of Criminal Minds and appeared on Private Practice.
He also starred in Kitchen Confidential – an adaptation of Anthony Bourdain’s hit memoir – and appeared in films including Psycho Beach Party, Big Gay Love and Unholy.
Brendon was open about his health struggles, including a heart attack, and underwent two spinal operations for cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that can affect movement as well as bladder and bowel function.
He was also candid about problems with addiction and mental health.
His family added: “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.
“Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”
