Andy Whitfield, who starred in the Starz period drama "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," season 1 has has lost his battle with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.  He was 37. The following is a statement from his wife, Vashti Whitfield: "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. He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

Whitfield appeared as the titular gladiator hero in the first season of the cable series but stepped down from the role before the second season because of his illness.  Click through for more information on this type of cancer, which affects people of ages.