"Spartacus" Star Andy Whitfield Dies at Age 39

In very sad news, it was announced today that Andy Whitfield, star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after an 18 month battle with the disease. The 39-year-old Whitfield died in Sydney, Australia, his manager announced. 

His wife Vashti released a statement calling her husband a "beautiful young warrior" who died on a "sunny Sydney morning" in the "arms of his loving wife."

In a statement given to AfterElton.com, Spartacus co-creator had this to say about the tragic news:

Andy was such a lovely human being, inside and out. He truly embodied the spirit of a hero. His passing is deeply felt by all who knew him.  The one thing that lifts my heart is that Spartacus exposed the world to his immense talent. I only wish we could have reveled in his accomplishments for many, many years to come.

Spartacus co-creator Steven DeKnight with Whitfield

There were many reasons for the success of Spartacus, but there is no denying that one of the main reasons was due to the talent and magnetism of the Welsh actor who was a virtual unknown when cast in the Starz gladiator epic.