Hunky actor Andy Whitfield, star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, died Sunday (Sept 11) in Sydney, Australia, The Associated Press reports. He was only 39.

The handsome actor who was cast in Spartacus after moving to Australia from Wales in 1999, lost his battle to non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, 18 months after he was diagnosed with the disease.

In a statement, Whitfield‘s widow Vashti said, “On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer. He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.”

Andy was a small time actor on the Australian TV shows “Packed to the Rafters” and “McLeod’s Daughters,” until he was cast in the hit Starz series.

Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night.  ”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.”

In January, it was announced that Liam McIntyre would take over for Andy’s role in the popular series.

Rest in Peace Andy

Via: AP