Hourly Notes: andy whitfield of 'spartacus' dies of lyphoma disease at 39

Andy Whitfield, who played the title role in the hit cable series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died at age 39, according to representatives and family. "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," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield," Starz President and CEO Chris Albrecht said in a statement Sunday night. 'Spartacus' actor Andy Whitfield has lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma disease at the age of 39. 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' star Andy Whitfield has died. The announcement said: "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. In January, Starz announced Liam McIntyre would take Andy's role on 'Spartacus...' after his condition started to worsen.