If you were watching the ‘Stand Up 2 Cancer’ telethon, you may have noticed that due to technical difficulties, Lucy’s and STARZ’s piece on Our Champion Andy unfortunately was not aired properly.
Here is the piece again for those who may have missed it, and for those who would just like to see it again and continue to spread Andy’s message far and wide, in loving memory of this brilliant man, who was beautiful in every way a person can possibly be.
Be Here Now
via Entertainment Tonight Online:
Lucy Lawless is remembering her Spartacus: Blood and Sand co-star Andy Whitfield in this moving tribute created for the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon.
Whitfield lost his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma on September 11th, 2011, but is clearly fondly remembered by both the cast and crew of the hit STARZ series.
You can watch Stand Up 2 Cancer Friday, September 7th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on both STARZ and ENCORE.
“No one is immune to cancer. It strikes unexpectedly, changing lives. We must stand united against this often devastating disease - a lesson the cast and crew of Spartacus learned, when we lost a dearly-loved friend far too early in his life.
Andy Whitfield was a true champion, an amazing man and he gave his all to every aspect of his life, and it was an honor to know him.
Stand with me, and take a moment to remember Andy Whitfield, loving husband and father, terrific actor, and an inspiration to us all.”
- Lucy Lawless
Be Here Now
“There is but one path…we Kill Them All.”
USA: Tune in tonight at 6pm PST as Starz closes out its re-airing of Andy and company in ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’, with legendary episode 13: “Kill Them All.” Tune in after at 7pm PST for the continuation of the story with Liam McIntyre in ‘Spartacus: Vengeance.”
With Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, John Hannah, Viva Bianca, Craig Parker, Nick Tarabay, Katrina Law, Lesley-Ann Brandt, and Peter Mensah.
Tonight, join Starz as they continue the “summer replay” of Our Champion’s season - ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’ - with episodes 10, “Party Favors” 11, ”Old Wounds” and 12, “Revelations”.
With Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Craig Parker, John Hannah, Jai Courtney, Nick Tarabay, Viva Bianca, Katrina Law, Lesley-Ann Brandt, and Peter Mensah.
Blood, sand, glory and revenge - tune in to the intrigue tonight (6 p.m. PST) as Starz continues its re-airing of ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’, with episodes 7. “Great and Unfortunate Things”, 8. “Mark of the Brotherhood” and 9. “Whore”.
With Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, John Hannah, Viva Bianca, Craig Parker, Jai Courtney, Lesley-Ann Brandt and Nick Tarabay.
USA - Beginning at 6 p.m. (PST) tonight, relive the grand adventure that brought us our Champion Andy as Starz presents a re-airing of ‘Spartacus: Blood and Sand’ with episodes 1. ” The Red Serpent”, 2. “Sacramentum Gladiatorum” and 3. “Legends”.
With Lucy Lawless, Manu Bennett, Viva Bianca, John Hannah, Craig Parker, Peter Mensah, Jai Courtney, Nick Tarabay, Katrina Law, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Dan Feuerriegel and Erin Cummings.
cheeky photo of Andy flipping the bird ;)
photo courtesy of his wife, Vashti
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
