If you watched the Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the man who star and portrayed with strenght an courage the champion of arena, indeed also in real life.
Andy Whitfield has died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Sydney, Australia today at the age of 39. Representatives and family members of the Spartacus: Blood and Sand star confirmed the sad news today. The Australian actor's wife, Vashti, issued a statement saying her husband died on a 'sunny Sydney morning' in the 'arms of his loving wife.'
According to Starz president and CEO Chris Albrecht : 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield.
'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.
'Andy was an inspiration to all of us as he faced this very personal battle with courage, strength and grace.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. He will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and fans.'
Steve DeKnight, Spartacus director, post to Twitter to express his pain. 'No words to express the depth of such a loss. You will be deeply missed, my brother’.
Whitfield who was born in Bankstown Sydney and lived in Australia. He studied engineering at the University of Western Sydney and worked in Lidcombe as an engineer before moving to Sydney in 1999. He has appeared in several Australian television series, such as Opening Up, All Saints, The Strip, Packed to the Rafters and McLeod's Daughters. Whitfield gained his first prominent role in the Australian supernatural film Gabriel. See: wikipedia.
The actor was diagnosed with the disease in March, 2010 and began treatment immediately in New Zealand.
He 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. Whitfield made also a brief, uncredited voice-only appearance in the prequel mini-series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which premiered on 21 January 2011
Althought that his life here has to end soon statement from wife, family, colleagues was a manifestation of the real courage he show on and off camera. Surpassed his own battle indeed a champion not only here but in his everlasting life.
See also: www.dailymail.co.uk