Nicholas Brendon passed away at the age of 54, his family confirmed on Friday.
The actor was best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds.
'We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes,' his family said in a statement shared on his Instagram account.
Four of Brendon's family members were seen posing with him in a group photo that they shared alongside their statement.
His family praised him for his passion for art and his 'enthusiastic talent' as they shared photos of him acting as well as some of his paintings.
'Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years,' the statement read.
Nicholas Brendon passed away at the age of 54, his family confirmed on Friday; pictured in June 2017
'In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art,' it continued. 'Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.'
His family described the multi-hyphenate artist as '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.'
'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,' his family members concluded in their joint statement.
'Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.'
The statement shared by the late actor's family was edited, but an earlier version published just hours earlier suggested that Brendon was going through treatment at the time of his death.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, his family previously wrote: '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.'
In 2023, the actor previously revealed that he had suffered a heartattack and was subsequently diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, per the outlet.
The actor was best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer; pictured in 1997 portrait, from left to right: David Boreanaz, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon
He played the lovable sidekick to Sarah Michelle Gellar's character Buffy Summers; pictured in 1998 still, from left to right: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charisma Carpenter, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green
Brendon appeared in all seven seasons of the hit TV series, which aired from 1997 to 2003; pictured from left to right: Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Cordelia Chase
He explained that he also had cauda equina syndrome, which led to him having to undergo multiple spinal surgeries over the years.
In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Brendon played the lovable sidekick to Sarah Michelle Gellar's titular character, and together, they appeared in all seven seasons of the hit supernatural drama series, which aired from 1997 to 2003.
In addition to his major television roles, he was also known for starring in the 2000 film adaptation of Charles Busch's Psycho Beach Party.
Four of Brendon's family members were seen posing with him in a group photo that they shared alongside the statement
His family said in a statement that the actor 'passed in his sleep of natural causes'
