Shocked to see the news about Buffy’s Nicholas Brendon

[TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross]

I was shocked to see the news about Nicholas Brendon’s death. He was only 54. Another one of the Buffy gang gone far too early. I know he was a very troubled man and a complicated one to feel sympathy for but I love that show so much and he was an integral part of it.

I’m surprised he’s lasted this long to be honest. He was a mess and there are a lot of his ex-girlfriends who have come forward over the years and reported the awful abuse and assaults he inflicted on them.

That said, as a Buffy fan who grew up with the show, he will always be Xander to me.
I recently re-watched some seasons 1-3 and his comic timing was brilliant. He was actually a really bloody good actor back in the day.
It’s so sad how his life went, because I think he could have continued to have had a really good career.
Alcohol and drugs ruin lives.

It says he had a congenital heart defect and died of natural causes?

RIP Xander 😔

That’s what it says but as per the 1st response I’m only surprised he’s lasted this long. Buffy was down for a reboot and it was
announced this week this was being cancelled. I don’t imagine the timing is a coincidence.

I also started re watching it recently
with my son and also noted just
how good an actor he actually was.

Yes, it seems that his drug and alcohol abuse ruined his career and the lives of his victims. It's sad that someone can have such promise and opportunity when young and then end up with such a troubled life.

Wow I completely missed this

I missed about his troubles as well!

Love Buffy

Yes, same. I'm sorry to hear of his death, but not surprised.

The reboot was only going to have SMG in it and no other original cast so I don’t think there was ever a chance of a career revival. It is terribly sad that he had such a downfall and some of his convictions make for nasty reading but I’ll always remember him as Xander.

He has a twin brother that was also in the show as his double so very strange that there’s still a xander walking around somewhere

It's sad and strange when someone from good memories in your youth passes away.

I'm not equating the two deaths, but same as when James VDB passed away, it's just sad

He died of natural causes and he wasn’t involved in the revival. It was entirely a coincidence.

Drugs are bad kids.

Terribly sad that he died so young. I met him once and he was very funny and engaging, but of course that doesn't mean he treated women close to him well in private.

RIP Xander. A clever funny actor.

I didnt know about NB's health issues, drug and alcohol problems or assaults of women. Sad to learn that.

It’s made me so sad . Loved him in Buffy and in Criminal minds , fame can be a dangerous thing

I can’t believe that he was 26 when Buffy started. Cordelia was 27, and they were playing 15 year olds! I remember watching Buffy as a kid and being totally confused about how grown up mature they looked, when everyone at school looked like kids. Now I know why! Lol!

RIP Xander. Sad news.

Buffy has always been my comfort show, I’ve watched and re-watched it over the years. It’s a shame, but his early passing wasn’t unexpected considering his problems with drugs/alcohol.

I really don’t think it’s for you or anyone else to decide cause of death. If it says natural causes then that’s it. It’s none else’s business and is rather tasteless to be honest.

Very sad to hear he died and had no idea about his troubled life after the show. I loved the show and still watch it now and then. Xander was one of my favourite characters, especially in the early seasons.

So sad, I absolutely loved Buffy and Xander. A real shame how his life turned out as he was so talented, and the cast all seemed to think he was a really nice, kind, funny guy back then. Obviously that doesn't excuse his later behaviour, it just all seems such a waste. RIP.

I heard the news yesterday and have been struggling with how I feel. I was a huge Buffy fan. I went to conventions, have met most of the cast (am grateful I had already met Nicholas), I used to have every action figure, trading card, etc… Obsessed wouldn’t be too unfair.

But having heard about his behaviour, particularly towards women, over the years, it’s hard to reconcile the dislike for the man with mourning the loss of “Xander” if that makes sense.

I feel nothing but sympathy for his family, friends and former co-workers though.