Spartacus star Whitfield dies of lymphoma, aged 39

ANDY WHITFIELD, who played the title role in the hit cable series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, has died at age 39, according to representatives and family.

Whitfield died on Sunday in Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, said manager Sam Maydew.

“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 helped carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.”