Sarah Michelle Gellar has shared a touching tribute to her co-star Nicholas Brendon following his passing at the age of 54. The actor, best known for portraying Xander Harris, Buffy’s loyal friend in the iconic supernatural series, passed away on Friday “in his sleep due to natural causes,” according to a statement from his family.
Gellar, who played the titular vampire slayer, released a heartfelt message on Saturday morning. It included a nostalgic photo and a quote that Brendon’s character famously delivered on the show. The quote reads: “They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it,” followed by, “But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me.”
Gellar added: “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
This particular quote was taken from the episode titled “Potential” in the seventh season of the series. In this episode, Xander opens up about not having supernatural powers to Dawn, portrayed by Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 39. This speech is considered a pivotal moment in the show’s history.
Gellar and Brendon starred together in
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
for seven seasons, which aired from 1997 to 2003. The two actors, along with Alyson Hannigan, were the only cast members credited with appearing in the majority of the show’s 144 episodes.
Brendon’s family shared a statement highlighting his contributions beyond acting. They said: “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.”
Alyson Hannigan, who played Xander’s best friend Willow Rosenberg on the show, also paid tribute. She wrote: “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.”
In addition to his role in
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
, Brendon appeared in several TV shows, including
Criminal Minds
,
Private Practice
and
Kitchen Confidential
—an adaptation of Anthony Bourdain’s bestselling memoir.
Brendon had been open about his health struggles in the past. In 2023, he revealed he had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and had suffered a heart attack. He also had cauda equina syndrome (CES), a condition caused by damage to the nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord.
A post on his Instagram account from August 2022, which has since been deleted, mentioned that he had been hospitalized due to tachycardia—a type of abnormal heart rhythm that can cause a resting heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate typically falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
His family’s statement continued: “While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis, and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing.”
The series
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
won two Emmy Awards and received 14 nominations across its seven seasons from 1997 to 2003.
