Former 'Buffy' stars mourn Nicholas Brendon's death at 54

Alyson Hannigan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and other cast members pay tribute to the actor who played Xander Harris.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:32am

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Former stars of the hit TV series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' are mourning the loss of actor Nicholas Brendon, who played the character of Xander Harris on the show. Brendon passed away at the age of 54, with his death confirmed in a statement on his official Facebook page. Co-stars such as Alyson Hannigan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, and Emma Caulfield have shared heartfelt tributes to Brendon, reflecting on their friendship and the impact of his character.

Why it matters

Nicholas Brendon was a central figure in the original 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' cast, and his character Xander was a beloved part of the show's ensemble. His passing marks another loss for the 'Buffy' community, following the 2025 death of Michelle Trachtenberg, who played Buffy's sister Dawn. The outpouring of tributes from his co-stars highlights the enduring impact of the show and the close-knit nature of its cast.

The details

Brendon, who portrayed the character of Xander Harris on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', was described as 'passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create' in the statement announcing his death. In recent years, he had turned his focus to painting and art, which he often shared with loved ones and fans.

  • Nicholas Brendon passed away in his sleep from natural causes.

The players

Nicholas Brendon

The actor who portrayed the character of Xander Harris on the TV series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

Alyson Hannigan

The actress who played the role of Willow Rosenberg on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and was a close friend of Brendon's.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

The actress who played the title role of Buffy Summers on the TV series and paid tribute to Brendon's character and impact.

David Boreanaz

The actor who played the character of Angel on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and its spinoff series.

Charisma Carpenter

The actress who portrayed the character of Cordelia Chase, a love interest of Brendon's character Xander, on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

Emma Caulfield

The actress who played the role of Anya, another love interest for Brendon's character Xander, on the TV series.

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What they’re saying

“My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP.”

— Alyson Hannigan

“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.”

— Sarah Michelle Gellar

The takeaway

The outpouring of tributes from the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' cast highlights the enduring impact of the show and the close-knit nature of its ensemble, even decades after the series ended. Brendon's passing is a significant loss for the 'Buffy' community, which has already experienced the death of another beloved cast member in recent years.