Andy Whitfield

**Andy Whitfield** *(July 17, 1972)* was a Welsh/Australian actor best know for Spartacus in Spartacus: Blood and Sand. He died of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a 39.

## Early Life and Career

Andy Whitfield was born in Amlwch, Anglesey, Wales. He studied construction at Sheffield Hallam University, England and worked in Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia as an engineer before settling in Sydney in 1999. 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. He also starred in the 2010 television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which was filmed in New Zealand. He was the original actor to portray Spartacus, the Gladiator turned rebel commander the started the Third Servile War. Whitfield also appeared in the Australian thriller *The Clinic* starring opposite Tabrett Bethell (of Legend of the Seeker fame) which was shot in Deniliquin.

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. Whitefield made a brief, unaccredited voice-only appearance in the prequel mini-series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which premiered on 21 January 2011.

Whitfield met Vashti in London. The couple moved to Sydney and married in 2001. They had two children together.

In March 2010, Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began undergoing treatment immediately in New Zealand. This delayed production of season two of Spartacus: Vengeance. 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 unaccredited voice over from the actor. Although declared cancer-free in June 2010, a routine medical in September 2010 revealed a relapse and Whitfield was compelled to abandon the role. Starz recast Australian actor Liam McIntyre as Whitfield's successor. Whitfield was still alive when McIntyre was chosen, and he gave his blessing despite McIntyre being ten years younger than he was, and underweight for the role.

Whitfield died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Sydney, Australia, on 11 September 2011, 18 months after his initial cancer diagnosis. -  Spartacus Wiki

## Notes

* Attended Screenwise Film & TV School for Actors in Sydney, Australia.
* Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma & began immediate treatment in New Zealand on March 2010.
* Born in Amlwch, Wales, and moved to Australia in 1999
* As a fashion model he took part in approximately 40 advertising campaigns in Europe and Asia.
* Moved to Sydney after graduating *University of Sheffield* in South Yorkshire with an engineering degree
* His parents Robert and Pat Whitfield also moved to Australia 1999 with his sister Laura.
* The first episode of *Spartacus: Vengeance*, 'Fugitivus', was dedicated to the memory of Whitfield. At the end of the closing credits, a photo of Andy was shown with the caption "Our greatest champion".
* No one in the Spartacus cast or crew wanted to continue working on the show while Andy was in the hospital. However, Andy insisted they go on without him, and gave his blessing to them all, including the new Spartacus, Liam McIntyre.