Actor Andy Whitfield, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma last year, died in Sydney, Australia on Sunday at age 39. He was best known for his leading role on the Starz drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which he gave up last year when he was diagnosed with the disease. (He was replaced with Liam McIntyre.) In separate statements, Starz head Chris Albrecht called Whitfield a “champion” both on and off-screen, while his wife Vashti thanked his fans for their support and said he would be remembered as an “inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father, and husband.” [LAT]
