'Spartacus' star Whitfield dead at 39

SYDNEY, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Andy Whitfield, who starred in the "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" TV series on Starz, died Sunday at age 39, his wife said.

Vashti Whitfield said in a statement that her husband, who she called a "beautiful young warrior," died in her arms on a "sunny Sydney morning," The Daily Telegraph reported.

The Australian tabloid said the actor's manager, Sam Maydew, said Whitfield died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Whitfield, who was born in Wales and lived in Australia, was preparing for the series' second season when he was diagnosed with the disease 18 months ago.

Australian actor Liam McIntyre took over the Spartacus role this year.