Remembering the late and great Andy Whitfield, our Champion.

Andy Whitfield was born on October 17th, 1971, in Amwlch, Wales. He became an engineer after graduating from the University of Sheffield, England, and worked in Lidcombe, New South Wales, Australia as an engineer before settling in Sydney in 1999.

He married Vashti Whitfield and together they have two beautiful children, son Jesse Red, 7, and daughter Indigo Sky, 4.

Our Champion gained his first prominent role in the Australian supernatural film 'Gabriel'. However, his role as the Thracian rebel and warrior "Spartacus" in 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' propelled him to stardom and into our hearts and minds, forever.

In March 2010, Andy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of cancer, and was given between 3-6 months to live if he did not receive treatment. He began undergoing treatment immediately in New Zealand.

Although declared cancer-free only two months later, Andy suffered a recurrence of the disease later in the year and was ultimately compelled to abandon his role as Spartacus.

Sadly, our Champion passed away in Sydney, Australia, on September 11th, 2011, 18 months after his initial cancer diagnosis. He was 39.

"On a beautiful sunny Sydney 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." - wife Vashti Whitfield, in a statement

Andy, even though you were only with us for a short time, the lessons and joy you brought and continue to bring so many will keep your close to our souls, close to our minds, and forever in our hearts.

"Be Here Now"



In June, a campaign was set up to fund "Be Here Now", a film by Oscar-winning director Lilibet Foster, which documents Andy's battle with NHL.

The campaign was a huge success, with just over $300,000 raised in total funds! Please visit http://beherenowfilmcomingsoon.com to stay up-to-date with the film's progress.

"'Be Here Now' is all about being present, and not fearing what you don't know." - Andy Whitfield


Vashti on Twitter: http://twitter.com/maybemcqueen

Lilibet on Twitter: http://twitter.com/magnifi7

'Be Here Now' Film on Twitter: http://twitter.com/beherenowfilm1

Vashti on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maybemcqueen

'Be Here Now' Film FB Page - https://www.facebook.com/beherenowfilm