Nicholas Brendon, the actor best known for his role as Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has passed away at the age of 54.
According to his family, Brendon died in his sleep due to natural causes and was described as 'passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create.'
Brendon's portrayal of Xander Harris over seven seasons of Buffy helped redefine the 'nerd' archetype in popular culture.
He also appeared in the cult film Psycho Beach Party and had recurring roles on Criminal Minds and the Fox sitcom Kitchen Confidential.
Brendon is survived by his identical twin brother Kelly Donovan, who appeared alongside him in two episodes of Buffy.
The actor was married twice, first to Tressa DiFiglia from 2001 to 2006 and then to Moonda Tee in 2014, which ended within months.
Brendon faced public struggles with substance abuse and mental health in his 30s, including multiple arrests, but openly discussed his challenges and worked towards recovery.
