Remembering Andy Whitfield

Andy made a profound impression on New Zealand when he came here to star in the lead role of Starz TV drama Spartacus. You didn’t need to work with him to realize that those who did found him to be an infinitely amiable and gentle man. Words like grace and courage come easily when people talk about Andy.

The deep regard felt for him became even more apparent upon diagnosis of Andy’s non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a cancer affecting lymphocyte white blood cells) in March 2009. There was great hope when he responded well to initial treatment, but in September 2011 Andy’s body succumbed to the cancer and he passed away.

Andy’s wife Vashti told the world of his passing: “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.

He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have helped carry him to this point.

He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father, and husband he was.”

Many in our industry will carry treasured memories of a good man lost too soon.

The Techo’s Guild

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Andy donned the costume of a Gladiator with total ownership. Any opportunity to wear more costume than less – especially during fight sequences. Many a costume-check would end with Andy negotiating to wear a shirt! Andy – always the gentleman, the costume department always willing to build a great piece of armour for the blue-eyed Spartacus.

Barbara Daragh

In February 2009 I made a phone call to congratulate the man who was to become Spartacus. The handsome man with piercing blue eyes, a wonderful smile and a voice like caramel. Andy Whitfield. He was driving along the Pacific Coast Highway in California and with pure joy in his voice he told me that this role was his dream come true.

So firstly and from everyone at Spartacus – “Andy, it has been our pleasure to be a part of your dream and to make that dream come true”.

One week later Andy arrived in Auckland and discovered that his dream involved a small caravan as his cast trailer, hours in the gym, rice and chicken breasts for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a leather costume, body wash tans, stunt and fight training, prosthetic scars, lots of dirt, being whipped by Peter Mensah, standing armpit deep in a sewer with Jai, fighting and fighting and fighting in the arena and endless pages of dialogue with John Hannah…

Fortunately.

Andy brought his intelligence and sense of humour with him – he was our lead but without ego and always true to himself – he was in life the same honourable man that he created on screen.

There is a line that Spartacus speaks in Episode 1 Season 1. “I gave my word. Blood and honour. It speaks to the man.”

That line was written long before auditions were held – and spoken by many voices – but none brought life to their meaning until Andy Whitfield entered that room:

“I gave my word. Blood and honour. It speaks to the man.”

These simple words convey the infinite strength and the limitless heart of the hero of this story.

We believe that hope and compassion shine in the darkest of days. We believe that one man can stand strong despite the forces that gather against him.

We believe in Andy.

Blood and honour.

Family and commitment.

Friendship and trust.

Andy you are forever in our brotherhood and held with love.

We will always mind and care for your family – Robert and Pat and Laura – your fearless wife Vashti and your beautiful children Jesse Red and Indigo Sky.

And – most importantly we will always remember you with laughter and a smile.

Chloe Smith