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BY CHRISTINA HONAN
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Actor Andy Whitfield, best known for his starring role in the Starz series Spartacus, passed away Sunday in Australia. He was 39 years old. E! has the story.
“The actor lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was diagnosed with the cancer a year and a half ago. His wife released a statement saying that Andy died on a ‘sunny Sydney morning,’ calling her husband a ‘beautiful young warrior.’”
The actor was virtually unknown before scoring the title role in Starz’ gladiator drama Spartacus, but has since made quite an impression on co-workers and fans.
Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht reacted to the news in a statement he released to the Hollywood Reporter.
"We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion onscreen was also a champion in his own life.”
Celebrities and fans alike have taken to Twitter to express their condolences for the young actor. In an interview he gave at Comic-Con earlier this summer, Whitfield talked about the outpouring of support he received from fans, saying “it really moved him.”
“People kept sending me these messages like have you seen these messages and blogs? I started to look at them and I was literally blown away. It really made a difference. You know, I felt some days I kinda needed that lift, that human spirit, the fact that people would right that and share their own stories — just willing to put it out there. I really really appreciate it.”
Whitfield took what was intended to be a temporary break from the show following a check-up in March. Unfortunately, he never became well enough to return to the show. CNN reports:
“Australian actor Liam McIntyre was tapped to fill the lead for the second season. At the time, McIntyre commended Whitfield for his work on the show, and said that ‘everybody hurts that he's had to give up that role, myself included.’”
Whitfield is survived by his wife and two children.
Transcript by Newsy
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