Nicholas Brendon never shied away from sharing his health struggles. Before the iconic actor from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" passed away on March 20th from natural causes, Nicholas and his family had kept his fans updated about the health issues that the 54-year-old was facing.
In August 2022, he was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a cardiac incident and being diagnosed with tachycardia, a congenital heart defect where the heart beats abnormally fast. His sister wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post, as reported by The Los Angeles Times, "Nicky sends his love and wanted me to apologize that he hasn't been going live as much lately and to give everyone an update." She added, "Nicky is doing fine now, but he had to be rushed to the emergency room about two weeks ago because of a cardiac incident (tachycardia/arrhythmia)."
His sister also explained that Nicholas had faced a similar health scare in 2021 after undergoing a second spinal surgery to manage his cauda equina syndrome (CES), a rare medical emergency that occurs when nerve bundles in the lumbar or sacral spine are compressed or not functioning properly, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
"He is trying to get a little more rest," his sister said, "and has been concentrating on medical appointments." Nicholas' serious spinal injury was triggered by a fall he'd had in February 2021, which required immediate surgery to prevent paralysis, his manager Theresa Fortier told the L.A. Times. His spinal cord was then punctured during a spinal surgery in October 2021, which she said resulted in tachycardia.
Despite the challenges, the "Criminal Minds" star did his best to stay grounded through his ordeal, sharing photos of paintings he created on Instagram. "Sorry for the extra long disappearing act," he wrote in 2023 alongside one of his paintings. "After two spinal surgeries and a heart attack, I've had multiple doctor appointments to juggle."
It was tough for Nicholas to handle, as he explained that "dealing with health insurance and pre-approvals feels nearly as emotionally exhausting and painful as dealing with my actual injuries." He added, "I also needed time to rest...or at least as much as I'm capable of resting."
Nicholas' family confirmed his passing to The Hollywood Reporter on March 20th, saying he died in his sleep. They also went on to remember him for his enthusiasm for entertainment and art. "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create," they said in a statement. "Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was."
