Today’s blog is brief. I’d like to formally take the opportunity to say good-bye to Andy Whitfield who died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma last Sunday at the age of 39.
For a couple of years I’ve had a picture pinned up in my studio of Andy Whitfield in his “Spartacus Blood and Sand” leathers. I think he was gorgeous. My son who was nine when I put the picture up, and was far too young to be watching the graphically violent show on Starz network, looked at the photo and said, “That man has beautiful eyes. He looks kind.”
I thought that was a funny way to describe Spartacus but Andy Whitfield did have kind, beautiful eyes and maybe that’s why he made such a good Spartacus. He came across as a highly capable but reluctant killer.
I’m saddened because constant reports were shared in the media, even as recently as late July’s Comic Con in San Diego that Andy was doing better. Obviously that wasn’t true and it’s our loss.
Lucy Lawless (Xena Warrior Princess and Spartacus Blood and Sand co-star) is quoted as saying:
"Obviously, Andy Whitfield left an indelible mark on all of us in the 'Spartacus' family. He was a gentle man who never said a bad word about anyone, a gifted photographer, engineer (no really!) and a brilliant actor. Andy's incandescent film presence made men want to be him and women want to marry him. Andy's two babies will always know that their Daddy cherished them and their mother, Vashti, above all things. How lucky we were to have him grace all our lives. Godspeed, Andy!"
Well said Ms. Lawless.
XXOO Kat
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