Nicholas Brendon's Tragic Death At 54, Meet His Lesser-Known Twin Brother, Kelly Donovan

American writer and actor, Nicholas Brendon, passed away at the age of 54. He was best known for his role as 'Xander Harris' in the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 'Kevin Lynch' in the TV series, Criminal Minds. The devastating news of his demise was announced by his family on March 20, 2026. According to the statement shared by his family, Nicholas Brendon passed away in his sleep.

Over the years, Nicholas suffered many health issues, including cauda equina syndrome, a serious spinal condition that involves nerve compression in the lower back, causing pain and limited mobility. For this health condition, he had to undergo several surgeries. Amid the tragic loss, people have grown curious to know more about Nicholas’ family. It was Nicholas’ lesser-known twin brother, Kelly Donovan, who stole the spotlight. Well, we got you covered.

Who is Nicholas Brendon's twin brother, Kelly Donovan?

Kelly Donovan was born as Kelly Donovan Schultz on April 12, 1971. According to a report by Prime Timer, Kelly and Nicholas were identical twins and were born on the same day, within seconds of each other. Just like his brother, Nicholas, Kelly also belongs to the entertainment industry. However, he has stayed away from the limelight throughout his career.

In 2020, Nicholas shared a post on his Facebook page where he revealed his twin brother, Kelly’s profession. Not many know, Kelly appeared as Nicholas’ body double in The Replacements, episode three of season five of the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the episode, 'Xander Harris' was split into two characters, one possessing the good qualities (played by Kelly Donovan) and the other filled with flaws (played by Nicholas Brendon). He was also Nicholas’ stunt double and worked on the set design of the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly.

Nicholas Brendon's untimely death at the age of 54

Nicholas Brendon’s sudden death has left his family heartbroken. His family confirmed his tragic passing and revealed that he passed away in his sleep. They mentioned that in the recent years, the late actor and writer had found his passion in painting and art. They added that Nicholas was passionate and sensitive to creating something new. The statement shared by them can be read as:

"We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart."

More about Nicholas Brendon

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, Nicholas was married twice. His first marriage to Tressa DiFiglia lasted for 5 years from 2001 to 2006. Later, he found love again and got married to Moonda Tee in 2014. However, his second marriage ended within months.

Nicholas Brendon became an overnight star with the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, after the show ended, Nicholas became an alcoholic. In 2004, he went to a rehab for alcohol problems. At the time, he said to the media, that he decided to go to rehab as he thought it was the best way to recover from the issues. He was quoted as saying:

"After realising that I had a disease that was taking control of my life, I decided that the best way for me to regain my health was to enter a treatment facility."

Rest in peace, Nicholas Brendon.

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