Andy Whitfield dies of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Welsh actor Andy Whitfield, who played the title character in the Starz series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma Sunday, Sept. 11 at his home in Sydney, Australia. Whitfield was diagnosed in March 2010 through a routine checkup and immediately began treatment. Because it was diagnosed early, many, including his doctors, believed the disease would be easily treated. Unfortunately, he developed a recurrence in September 2010, and treatment wasn't able to knock out the cancer. Chris Albrecht, president and chief executive of Starz, said in a statement: "The man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life." Mr. Whitfield faced cancer with "courage, strength and grace."Rest in peace, Spartacus.