How Andy Whitfield ('Spartacus') tragically died at the height of his fame

Andy Whitfield, protagonist of 'Spartacus'
Studied engineering
Moved to Australia
Sporadic roles
First film as protagonist
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
A great performance
The Clinic
Unexpected news
A shocking diagnosis
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
Sickness returned: Andy was no longer Spartacus
Liam McIntyre as stand-in
Death
'Be Here Now' - postmortem documentary
An impressive documentary about disease and loss
Recording this process brought something creative and meaningful
The movie was a form of therapy for a devastated couple
Married for 10 years
Spartacus and Me: Life, Love and Everything in Between
Strength, courage and passion
Andy Whitfield, protagonist of 'Spartacus'

The entertainment world was shaken when, in 2011 and at the height of his career, we lost a brilliant talent: Andy Whitfield, the charismatic actor who won viewers' hearts as the protagonist of the series 'Spartacus'.

Studied engineering

Andy Whitfield was born in Amlwch, on the Isle of Anglesey (Wales), on October 17, 1971. Before deciding to dive into the world of acting, Whitfield studied engineering at the University of Sheffield.

Moved to Australia

However, after practicing engineering for a few years in London, Andy decided to move to Sydney, Australia in 1999. There, he joined the Screenwise School of Film and TV Actors to train as a performer.

Sporadic roles

Whitfield began his career with sporadic small roles in several Australian series, such as 'All Saints' (2004), 'The Strip' (2008), 'Packed to the Rafters' (2008), and 'McLeod's Daughters' (2008).

First film as protagonist

In 2007, Andy starred in his first film as a leading man. It was the Australian supernatural film 'Gabriel.' There, he played the last remaining Archangel Gabriel who had the objective of discovering what had happened in Purgatory.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

The turning point in Andy's career came when he was chosen for the lead role in the series 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand'. It also featured Lucy Lawless and John Hannah (pictured) in the cast.

A great performance

His intense and charismatic portrayal of the famous gladiator captivated audiences around the world. Andy's performance brought a unique complexity to the character, making him not only a fearless warrior but also someone who fought for love and freedom.

The Clinic

2010 was a big year for the actor because he also starred in his second feature film: the Australian thriller 'The Clinic'.

Unexpected news

But then, in March 2010, Andy Whitfield received news that would change his life completely.

A shocking diagnosis

Sadly, while Andy was at the height of his career, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He immediately began treatment in New Zealand against this aggressive form of cancer.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

This diagnosis resulted in the delay of the production of the second season of 'Spartacus: Revenge'. While waiting for Andy's treatment and recovery, the channel produced a six-episode miniseries entitled 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.' It only had an uncredited voice acting role by the Whitfield.

Sickness returned: Andy was no longer Spartacus

Despite being considered cancer-free in June 2010, a routine medical evaluation in September 2010 detected a recurrence of the disease. Sadly, Whitfield had to drop out of the series altogether.

Liam McIntyre as stand-in

To replace him, Starz selected Australian actor Liam McIntyre (pictured) to take on the role. Yet, Andy's departure left a void that no replacement could completely fill.

Death

On September 11, 2011, 18 months after being diagnosed with cancer, Andy Whitfield passed away. He left a gaping hole in the entertainment industry and in the hearts of his fans.

'Be Here Now' - postmortem documentary

In 2015, the documentary 'Be Here Now' was released. It had been produced by Whitfield and his wife, Vashti Whitfield (pictured). The film first appeared at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

An impressive documentary about disease and loss

The documentary follows the journey of Whitfield and his family as he undergoes chemotherapy treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It generated quite a stir among audiences and was subsequently made available on the Netflix platform.

Recording this process brought something creative and meaningful

In 2019, in an interview with 'The Grace Tale', Vashti Whitfield commented on the idea of producing the film: "Driven by Andy’s passion to turn his own experience into something of value and purpose, the idea of bringing something creative and meaningful... felt filled with life and creativity. And it gave us the opportunity to channel our fear of the unknown into something that could make a difference to others."

The movie was a form of therapy for a devastated couple

"The process of recording our own independent video diaries, and the interviewing and filming of 'Be Here Now,' really helped to diffuse the low-level atmosphere of anxiety and tension that could have festered and then monopolised our special time together," Andy's wife recounted. "When we had to talk to the camera... that would not only help us release pent-up thoughts but would force us to share what we might be holding back for fear of upsetting or burdening each other."

Married for 10 years

Andy and Vashti were married for 10 years, until his death. Together, they had two children: Jesse Red and Indigo Sky. To this day, Vashti pays homage to Andy on her Instagram profile.

Spartacus and Me: Life, Love and Everything in Between

In addition, Vashti published a book in 2016 about the couple's love story and the way they tried to overcome the disease. It was called 'Spartacus and Me: Life, Love and Everything in Between'.

Strength, courage and passion

Today, we remember Andy Whitfield not just as a talented actor, but also as a man who showed strength, courage, and passion in every facet of his life. His influence endures, serving as a reminder that life is precious and that we must embrace each moment with determination and gratitude.

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