Andy Whitfield

1. – Liam McIntyre, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, TV, 2011. “It’s with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project,” declared Andy in September 2010, after being struck with Stage 1 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March. “It’s time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey.” Faced with the option of re-casting or ending the hit series, the Starz company tested three actors, dismissed two others (from Prison Break) and Andy gave his blessing to his fellow Aussie (from The Pacific) taking the Thracian gladiator – and eventual freedom fighter – into the much delayed second season after Andy’s 18 month battle ended in September 2011. He was 39. Despite the expected blah-blah from McIntyre – “Andy’s Spartacus is always going to be Andy’s Spartacus, I’d would never try to be him.” – Whitfield was, transformed to look like Andy in Spartacus: Vengeance in January 2012.

 Birth year: 1974Death year: 2011Other name: Casting Calls:  1