Nicholas Brendon

Nicholas Brendon Schultz (April 12, 1971 – March 20, 2026) was an American actor, artist, and writer. He was best known for playing Xander Harris in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003) and Kevin Lynch in Criminal Minds (2007–2014).

Brendon continued to work steadily as an actor, with recurring roles on television and starring roles in independent films such as Coherence and Big Gay Love (both 2013). He also pursued visual art, exhibiting and selling his paintings and photography. Brendon struggled for many years with alcoholism and faced a series of legal issues, including multiple arrests and convictions for vandalism, theft, and domestic violence. He died in his sleep due to natural causes at age 54.