'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' stars honor Nicholas Brendon with touching tributes after his sudden death

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Nicholas Brendon, best known for his role as Xander Harris on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," after his sudden death at age 54.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who famously portrayed Buffy Summers, posted an old photo alongside a heartfelt goodbye that referenced the show.

"'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.

But I know.

I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody’s watching me,'" she wrote, quoting Brendon's character.

She added, "I saw you Nicky.

I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky."
Alyson Hannigan, who portrayed Willow Rosenberg, also honored Brendon with a sweet tribute featuring an image from the series.

'BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER' STAR NICHOLAS BRENDON DEAD AT 54
She captioned it, "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."
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Caulfield additionally took to Instagram to post a photo of the pair smiling towards the camera, "I just watched an old video of us at some comic con panel.

Damn Nicky you made me laugh.

From day one you welcomed me.

You made keeping a straight face a nearly impossible task.

Thank you.

Love you.

Rest in peace old friend."
Boreanaz continued, "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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"I got to witness firsthand how beloved Nicholas Brendon is all over the world… We laughed, we sang, we gave good panel!!!

Hearing of his passing today made me incredibly sad.

Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends…"
Brendon's death was announced Friday, March 20, with his family confirming the news in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Beyond his work on "Buffy," Brendon appeared in projects including films such as "Psycho Beach Party," "Hard Ground" and "Survivor Island," as well as television series like "Private Practice" and "Criminal Minds."
He later revealed in a 2023 Instagram post that he had suffered a heart attack and undergone multiple spinal surgeries.

Brendon had previously disclosed a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, a condition described by the Cleveland Clinic as the compression of nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord, which can affect movement and sensation in the lower body.