March 20 (UPI) — Actor Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing Xander on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died Friday at the age of 54.

TMZ reported the sad news Friday.

“We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years,” his family said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter Friday.

“In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans,” the statement continued. “He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. 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.”

Brendon also starred in Criminal Minds, as well as Private Practice and Faking It.

Notable deaths of 2026