Former ‘Spartacus’ Star Andy Whitfield Dies of Lymphoma at Age 39

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:43 — 10.1MB)

Well, this is really sad news.

Andy Whitfield, the former star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, died of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Sunday morning in Sydney Australia.

He was 39 years old. 

Whitfield was in peak physical form when, 18 months ago, he was diagnosed while preparing for the second season of the hit Starz series. Because of the diagnosis, the network was forced to replace him with Liam McIntyre.

I talked with Whitfield before the first season of Spartacus aired and he was absolutely wonderful. Laughing and cracking jokes, he was just so happy about the show, his work and life.

I re-posted the audio-link of the interview with him and cast-mate Lucy Lawless above. If you’d like to re-read the interview, click here.

RIP Andy.

The stars of ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’ spill the beans on their characters, casting, green screen and nudity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:43 — 10.1MB)

Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a retelling of the classic story of a Roman Gladiator who eventually rises up to lead a massive slave rebellion. But this is not your Dad’s Spartacus. This is much cooler. Much, much cooler. I’ve seen the first 4 episodes and they rock.

In this exclusive interview, Andy Whitfield (Spartacus), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia) and Executive Producer Steven S. DeKnight talked to me

Spartacus: Blood and Sand premieres this Friday, January 22nd on Starz!

Side note: This was a much longer interview but about halfway during the call, I noticed my cat chewing the cord that I use to record the audio. I quickly replaced the cord but missed a lot of great questions. You can thank my cat for that. And if you listen to the audio of the call, you’ll be able to hear her “meowing” in the background. Ah… the pleasures of working at home.

Let’s pick up the action…

[My question was: How do you get mentally prepared for a long shoot like this?]
Andy:  stay present and go, what do I have to achieve today and collaborate with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever worked with.  It’s achievable.  It does take its toll at the end.  Everyone needs a big rest, but even on the last day, everyone was there, the crew were there, and you could just feel how proud and how excited and how exhilarated everyone was.  You almost could feel like they could have two weeks off and start again.

Do you guys both still get nervous before a big scene?
Andy:  Lucy?
Lucy:  If I’m naked, yeah probably (laughter).  I don’t know.  Now that there’s such a relationship of trust between the actors and you’ve got directors that are really just fantastic –
Andy:  Yeah, I think, I mean I think that is true.  I think, you know, from what we have achieved – that gives you a lot of confidence.  But I also am conscious that there is always a necessary amount of fear just to have everything sharp.  You know, it’s that thing, no pressure, no diamond.  And I think you just sort of get used to it and accept that it will always be there.

For example, if I had to audition for something tomorrow, I would be as nervous as I was before.  And I’d spent nine months doing the best training for acting I could possibly ever have.  And I think that’s appropriate.  I think that you just accept that that’s gonna be there.  And just trust it’s gonna go away it’ll go away the second you commit to what is there.

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