'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' stars honor Nicholas Brendon with touching tributes after his sudden death

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who famously portrayed Buffy Summers, posted an old photo alongside a heartfelt goodbye that referenced the show.

Alyson Hannigan, who portrayed Willow Rosenberg, also honored Brendon with a sweet tribute featuring an image from the series.

Emma Caulfield, known for her role as Anya Jenkins, shared her reaction on Instagram Stories, posting: "No word yet. I love you Nicky. Let this clip of us giving it our best be a placeholder." She also included a clip from the show's musical episode and added, "Rest Nicky. Rest."

Boreanaz continued, "He carried something real - not perfect, not polished, just real - And in this business, that matters more than most things. We don't always get to choose how long someone stays in the story, only that they were here. And he was… Rest easy Brother… Some people leave a mark without trying."

"We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon."

"He passed in his sleep of natural causes," the statement added. "Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years, Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive and endlessly driven to create."

Beyond his work on "Buffy," Brendon appeared in projects including films such as "Psycho Beach Party," "Hard Ground" and "Survivor Island," as well as television series like "Private Practice" and "Criminal Minds."

He later revealed in a 2023 Instagram post that he had suffered a heart attack and undergone multiple spinal surgeries. Brendon had previously disclosed a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome, a condition described by the Cleveland Clinic as the compression of nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord, which can affect movement and sensation in the lower body.