Brendon starred as Xander Harris, one of main character Buffy Summers’ (Gellar) best friends and a frequent detractor of the dreamy vampire Angel (Boreanaz). The former was a series regular for all seven seasons of Buffy. Other costars included Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, James Marsters, Emma Caulfield, and the late Michelle Trachtenberg.
Alongside a smiling throwback of her with Brendon, Gellar shared a heartfelt tribute to her Instagram. The Ready or Not 2: Here I Come star stated: “‘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.’ I saw you, Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.“
In addition to Gellar, Boreanaz posted a sweet candid of himself and Brendon. He captioned the photo with a poetic eulogy:
There are people you work with
and then there are people you share time with
Nick was the latter
Some moments stay small on paper
a laugh between takes
a look that says we got this
the quiet understanding of showing up
and doing the work together
But those are the things that last
He carried something real
not perfect
not polished
just real
And in this business
that matters more than most things
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
At only 54 years old, Brendon reportedly passed away of natural causes in his sleep. The actor had previously suffered a heart attack, and was living with a congenital heart condition as well as a spinal disorder. Despite his public health struggles, Brendon’s family reminded fans to focus on his creative legacy.
“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,” the family said in a statement. “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.“
Brendon’s work on Buffy The Vampire Slayer made him a favorite among many audience members, and his influence will live on through the classic series and his loved ones’ memories.