Overview
- Brendon's family said he passed in his sleep of natural causes, sharing the statement on his social media and with The Hollywood Reporter.
- The family noted he had been on medications and in treatment for a diagnosis and that he was optimistic about the future.
- Best known as Xander Harris across all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he also had notable roles in Criminal Minds, Kitchen Confidential and the cult film Psycho Beach Party.
- In recent years he disclosed serious health issues, including cauda equina syndrome requiring spinal surgeries and a 2023 heart attack that led to a diagnosis of a congenital heart defect.
- Coverage recounts long-documented struggles with substance use and legal troubles, and notes he is survived by his identical twin brother, Kelly Donovan, as tributes from former co-stars and fans circulate.