Sarah Michelle Gellar pays tribute to late co-star Nicholas Brendon
Sarah Michelle Gellar has paid tribute to her Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star, Nicholas Brendon, who has died at the age of 54.
Brendon died “in his sleep from natural causes”, his family confirmed on social media in a statement following his passing. They also described him as “passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create,” adding that “his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.”
Following the news of his passing, Gellar honoured her co-star on Instagram, using one of the actor’s quotes from the show. “They’ll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn’t chosen,” says Harris in one of the show’s scenes. “To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realises, because nobody’s watching me.”
On social media, Gellar shared a photo of the pair, alongside the heartfelt caption: “I saw you, Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”
Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow Rosenberg on the show, also paid tribute to the late star on social media, saying, “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP.”
Brendon played Harris in the show across all seven seasons, from its launch in 1997 until its finale in 2003. An essential part of the Scooby Gang, Harris was a beloved character who charmed audiences with his sarcastic one-liners and stubborn devotion as the titular character’s best friend and sidekick.
The news of his passing also follows the recent cancellation of Chloé Zhao’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, Buffy New Sunnydale, a development that Gellar addressed on social media, announcing that Hulu had decided not to move forward with the project.
“I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish, yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloe, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means not only to me, but to all of you,” said Gellar. “And this doesn’t change any of that.”
Last year, Gellar shared an update with fans, saying, “This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet. I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.”
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