Buffy The Vampire Slayer stars, including Sarah Michelle Geller, have led the tributes to late co star Nicholas Brendon, who passed away aged 54.
Brendon, who starred in the hit series as Xander Harris from 1997 to 2003, passed away in his sleep over the weekend, his family confirmed in a statement.
"We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes," they wrote alongside photos of Brendon through the years. "Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. 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. 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".
Taking to social media, Sarah Michelle Geller, who played the titular character in the show, Buffy Summer, best friend of Xander Harris, shared this emotional message on social media.
"'They'll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen,’" Gellar captioned an Instagram post, quoting Brandon's character Xander Harris in the show. "‘To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realises, because nobody’s watching me.’"
"I saw you Nicky," Gellar added. "I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky".
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Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow Rosenberg on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, also shared a photo of her character embracing with Xander Harris on the show.
"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", she said.
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Elsewhere, David Boreanaz who played Angel on the show said that Brendon "carried something special".
"There are people you work with and then there are people you share time with", he said.
"Nick was the latter. Some moments stay small on paper, a laugh between takes, a look that says we got this, the quiet understanding of showing up and doing the work together. But those are the things that last.
"He carried something real, not perfect, not polished, just real. And in this business that matters more than most things. We don't always get to choose how long someone stays in the story only that they were here. And he was …Rest easy Brother. Some people leave a mark without trying".
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Emma Caufield who played Anya, the on-again, off-again love interest of Xander, said her "heart is heavy".
"I can't put into words just how this has hit me," she said on her Instagram Story. "Let this clip of us giving it our all be a placeholder. Rest Nicky. Rest. I love you".
James Cleary, who played Clem in season six and seven of the show also added: "Godspeed, laugh and joke your way through the Hellmouth to salvation. I hope you have found peace, friend".
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News of this comes a year after, actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who also starred in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, passed away following complications from diabetes.
More on this story here.
