Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Instagram early Saturday to pay tribute to her long-time “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” co-star Nicholas Brendon, who died on Friday at the age of 54.
“‘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,’” Gellar wrote, sharing a photo of her with Brendon. “I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
The quote comes from a “Buffy” Season 7 exchange between Brendon’s character, Xander, and Michelle Trachtenberg’s Dawn. Trachtenberg died in February 2025 at the age of 39.
Brendon’s family announced his death in a statement on Friday, writing, “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”
In the WB cult classic, Xander was one of Buffy’s closest allies in the battle against the forces of darkness. Brendon was a fan favorite among the cast for his loyalty to his friends and sarcastic sense of humor. His other best-known TV role was playing former hacker Kevin Lynch on 21 episodes of “Criminal Minds.” On the film side, Brendon appeared in “Demon Island,” “Unholy” and an adaptation of Charles Busch’s “Psycho Beach Party” with co-stars Amy Adams and Lauren Ambrose.
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