Andy Whitfield
| Andy Whitfield | |
|---|---|
 Whitfield at the San Diego Comic-Con International, July 2010 | |
| Born |
17 October 1971 Amlwch, Wales, United Kingdom |
| Died |
11 September 2011 Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2004–2011 |
| Spouse(s) | Vashti Whitfield (2001-2011; his death) |
| Children | 2 |
Andy Whitfield (died 11 September 2011) was a Welsh actor.[1] He was best known for his leading role in the Starz television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.[2]
Early life and career
Whitfield was born in Amlwch, Anglesey, Wales. He studied construction at Sheffield Hallam University in England.[3] He moved to Australia in 1999 to work as an engineer in Lidcombe, before later settling in Sydney.[4][5] He appeared in several Australian television series, such as Opening Up, All Saints, The Strip, Packed to the Rafters, and McLeod's Daughters.
Whitfield gained his first prominent role in the Australian supernatural film Gabriel.[6] He also starred in the 2010 television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which was filmed in New Zealand.[6] He portrays a version of the historical Spartacus, although in this retelling he is a conscripted soldier condemned to death who defeats all four of his executioners and is thereby recycled as a gladiator. The actual Spartacus, like this fictional version, led a rebellion against the Romans (the Third Servile War).[7] Whitfield also appeared in the Australian thriller The Clinic starring opposite Tabrett Bethell (of Legend of the Seeker fame) which was shot in Deniliquin.[8]
In August 2010, Whitfield teamed up with Freddie Wong and created a 2-minute YouTube video named "Time Crisis", based on the game Time Crisis.[9] Whitfield made a brief, uncredited voice-only appearance in the prequel mini-series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which premiered on 21 January 2011.[10]
Personal life
Whitfield met Vashti in London. The couple moved to Sydney and married in 2001. They had two children together.[11]
In March 2010, Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began undergoing treatment immediately in New Zealand.[12] This delayed production of season two of Spartacus: Vengeance.[12] While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, with only a brief uncredited voiceover from the actor. Although declared cancer-free in June 2010, a routine medical check in September 2010 revealed a relapse[13] and Whitfield was compelled to abandon the role.[14][15][16] Starz recast Australian actor Liam McIntyre as Whitfield's successor.[17]
Whitfield died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Sydney, Australia, on 11 September 2011, 18 months after his initial cancer diagnosis.[1][18]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Gabriel | Gabriel | |
| 2010 | The Clinic | Cameron Marshall |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | All Saints | Matthew Parkes | "Opening Up" (season 2, episode 7) |
| 2008 | The Strip | Charlie Palmer | Episodes 2 and 7 |
| 2008 | Packed to the Rafters | Nick Leigh | "All in the Planning" (season 1, episode 10) |
| 2008 | McLeod's Daughters | Brett Samuels | "Nowhere to Hide" (season 8, episode 4) |
| 2010 | Spartacus: Blood and Sand | Spartacus | Lead role, 13 episodes |
| 2011 | Spartacus: Gods of the Arena | Spartacus (voice only, uncredited) | "The Bitter End" (episode 6) |
References
- 1 2 "Spartacus star Whitfield dies, age 39". Stuff.com.nz. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ↑ Spartacus: Vengeance episode 201 ending credits at 54:00 time mark
- ↑ University of Sheffield Alumni Office & Sheffield Hallam University Alumni Office in England.
- ↑ Crump, Eryl (20 September 2010). "Anglesey-born star pulls out of Spartacus series after cancer returns". Daily Post, North Wales News. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
- ↑ Amatangelo, Amy (22 January 2010). "Andy Whitfield: A warrior made". Boston Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- 1 2 "Aussie stars in sex and violence epic". Ninemsn. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ↑ Radish, Christina (22 January 2010). "Interview: Andy Whitfield Talks SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND". Inland Empire Strikes Back Fan Club. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ↑ Miller, Gerri (21 January 2010). "Ecollywood: Glenn Close, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Eric Stoltz, Lucy Lawless and more". Ecollywood. Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ↑ Video on YouTube
- ↑ Kennedy, Gerrick D. "'Spartacus': 'Gods of the Arena' or gods of TV?". TCA Press Tour. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ Knight, Kathryn (25 June 2012). "How could my big, strong TV star husband just wither away? Widow of Spartacus star Andy Whitfield reveals the heartache behind his death from cancer". Mail Online. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- 1 2 Ausiello, Michael. "'Spartacus' delayed as star Andy Whitfield undergoes cancer treatment". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ "Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma Killed 'Spartacus' Actor Andy Whitfield". au.ibtimes.com. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ↑ "'Spartacus' Star Andy Whitfield Is Cancer-Free & Ready To Return To The Starz Series". Deadline Hollywood. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ↑ "Official Starz statement regarding Andy Whitfield.". Starz. 19 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ↑ "Ailing Whitfield leaves 'Spartacus'". upi.com. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ↑ "Liam Mcintyre Chosen To Play Title Role In New 'Spartacus'". Starz.mediaroom.com. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ↑ "Spartacus star Andy Whitfield, 39, dies in Sydney". News.com.au. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.