RIP, Andy Whitfield

[TampaYankee]

From http://www.kennethinthe212.com/....

RIP, Andy Whitfield

So sad to hear about the death of actor Andy Whitfield, best known for his role on the Starz series "Spartacus." I never watched the show, but I fell in love with him after seeing him squirming in his chair on "Chelsea Lately" a couple years ago, as the comedian repeatedly quizzed him about sex scenes and whether or not they show his "dingaling" on camera.

RIP, Andy. You'll live in in our imaginations forever.

[TampaYankee]

So sad and unfortunate an untimely passing. He had to suspend filming the second season due to cancer. Sorry to see he lost his battle. He had a promising career.

[Guest hitoallusa]

Rest in peace.

[TampaYankee]

Andy Whitfield Dead: 'Spartacus' Star Dies Of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

LOS ANGELES -- Andy Whitfield, who played the title role in the hit cable series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died at age 39, according to representatives and family.

Whitfield died Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, manager Sam Maydew told the Associated Press.

"On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

Andy Whitfield – who was born in Wales and moved to Australia in 1999 – was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in "Spartacus," a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film.

The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality.

Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer.

While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," that aired earlier this year with only a brief voiceover from the actor.

But in January after Whitfield's condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. "We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in `Spartacus' and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life."

Whitfield's previous credits included appearances on the Australian TV shows "Packed to the Rafters" and "McLeod's Daughters."

See original article at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/11/andy-whitfield-dead-sparta-non-hodgkin-lymphoma_n_957777.html?ref=mostpopular

[Guest Allessio77]

I loved this breakthrough drama.

[seattlebottom]

Although not unheard of in younger people, this type of cancer is commonly an older person's disease with the majority of patients being 55 or over. I wonder if there will ever be any cure for cancer at all.

[JKane]

Just watched the first true sequel episodes to the last that Whitfield stared in. Didn't really bother with the prequels...

Spartacus: Vengeance... actor that replaced Whitfield is maybe a little fairer of face but less defined of body. Acting, well, do you like gladiator movies, Billy?

Not sure if I'll bother to continue to watch it, but the second "Surprise! guess who's still alive..." has me slightly intrigued.

Lucy Lawless is maybe a slightly less pale shadow of Polly Walker (in Rome) this season, but still nowhere near. Plenty of room to grow, at least.

[caeron]

Yes, if anybody hasn't seen Rome, that was an amazing show and well worth the look.