THE STAR OF the US TV show Spartacus: Blood and Sand has died at the age of 39.

The announcement was made today that Andy Whitfield died on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

His wife Vashti  said in a statement:

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 help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.

Whitfield had been a virtual unknown before being cast in the lead role of the Tracian slave Spartacus, and appeared in all 13 episodes in the first season in 2010.

He was diagnosed with cancer just as he began preparing to shoot the second series.

While he underwent treatment, the network produced a six-part prequel that contained a brief voiceover from Whitfield.

After his health grew worse, it was announced that Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over his role.

Starz – the network that produced the show – President and CEO Chris Albrecht commented:

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield. We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in Spartacus and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life.

Whitfield’s co-star Lucy Lawless said that he “left an indelible mark” on all who worked on Spartacus and that he was a gentle man, a gifted photographer, engineer and brilliant actor.

See Whitfield speaking at the Comic Con conference after his diagnosis in 2010.

- Additional reporting by AP