I've just read the tragic news that Andy (Spartacus: Blood and sand) Whitfield has died from cancer aged only 39. As with all fans of Spartacus, I recall that the second season was put on hold as Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer; hence the prequel series focusing on the events running up to the original series. I also heard the good news that the cancer had gone into remission. But as with most things the good news was not to last and the tragic news broke that the cancer was back.
I, as I'm sure many did, hoped that Whitfield would beat the disease and return to the show that made him famous. Sadly that was not to be and the following press release details the final days of Spartacus:
"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 made the series what it was; great, glorious, bloody and gratuitous. I was afraid that it was just going to be a rip-off of 300 with lower production values, but Whitfield and the rest of the cast drew you in from the start and made the show a great success.
Andy Whitfield will be missed by all, and the thoughts and prayers of the millions of fans will be with his family.
RIP - Andy Whitfield (39) 2011.
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