‘Spartacus’ Star Andy Whitfield Dies Of Lymphoma At 39

Andy Whitfield, who played the title role in the hit series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died at age 39. The actor died yesterday Sunday Sept 11 in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his family and friends have announced.

"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," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "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."

Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season of Spartacus that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer. Whitfield is survived by his wife Vashti and their two children