Andy Whitfield of "Spartacus" dies at 39

Andy Whitfield in "Spartacus: Blood and Sand."

/ AP

(CBS/AP) Andy Whitfield, who played Spartacus in the Starz series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" - in which there is a lot of blood and sand - has died. He was 39.

Whitfield died Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, manager Sam Maydew told the Associated Press.

"On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

Andy Whitfield - who was born in Wales and moved to Australia in 1999 - was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in "Spartacus," a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film.

The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality.

Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season that aired in 2010, and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer.

While waiting for Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," that aired earlier this year with only a brief voiceover from the actor.

But in January after Whitfield's condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. "We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in `Spartacus' and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life."

Whitfield's previous credits included appearances on the Australian TV shows "Packed to the Rafters" and "McLeod's Daughters."

[midvale3]

Very sad. I don't think the series will be the same. He had an intensity that was intreging but wasn't another Conan type actor. He brought a lot to the role and created a complete charactor.

[karek40]

Didn't I recently read they had taught the bodies immune system to fight one cancer and were looking at other types of cancer.

[jt92202]

Prayers and thoughts to the family of Whitfield! Always hard to lose a loved one but he was way to young to leave this earth this fast!!! God's speed!

[smurfula]

God Bless Him. Too good a man to loose at so young an age. He is young, but he was great.

[Transatlantique]

If he'd have looked like "elephant man" no one would have known, as he'd have never gotten the role he played. Its still a sad loss either way.

[mryoubrian]

R.I.P. from Idaho. Truly a great loss.