We’re not gonna lie: Andy Whitfield first caught our eye because he was gorgeous. But we came to enjoy him as an actor on Starz’s Spartacus: Blood & Sand, a role he had to quit when his non-Hodgkin lymphoma became too debilitating.
He died September 11, 2011, at age 39.
Now after watching footage from Be Here Now, a new documentary following Whitfield through his devastating final months, we’ve come to appreciate him as an incredible human being.
This is not Kardashian-style “reality”: Australian filmmaker Lilibet Foster followed Whitfield and his wife, Vashti, during family time, training and meetings with doctors and healers. (The film’s title comes from the matching tatto
os Andy and Vashti got to symbolize their drive to live in the present.)
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Watching a man in the prime of his life visibly deteriorate into a shell of his former self is something too many gay men are familiar with, but we still blubbered when we saw Whitfield trying to create memories with his two precious children.
View the trailer above and consider making a donation on the film’s Kickstarter page. To complete Be Here Now , Foster’s team needs to raise $200,000 by the end of July and they’re a little more than halfway there. With today being Father’s Day, we’re gonna pull on your heartstrings and encourage you to support the legacy of this amazing father, husband and artist.
jason
Andy was such an imposing actor in Spartacus. Wonderful presence, deep handsome voice. Sorely missed.
SebX
The article is right. He became famous for his looks, his talent and huis presence on the screen.
But this couple of minutes let me take just a look at other aspects of Andy Whitfield as a man, rather than just an incredibly hot body. Him as a husband, as a dad, his loving wife and adoring children. Seeing them happy on the beach, and the little girl yelling “Daddy” brought tears to my eyes, knowing the end of this tragic story.
it’s been a while since his passing, and our lives move on without a second thought, but this family has had its life changed forever. I do wish them strength and love, and maybe having this org will help them find some peace and meaning to his untimely death.
1equalityUSA
Mr. Whitfield’s wife, Vashti, is an amazing spouse. What a lucky man to have someone so dedicated to his career and to his journey through chemo and all that it entails. Rest easy, knowing that you did your best.
Michael Sui
Gone to soon, But not forgotten. My heart goes out to his wife and 2 kids who today must face another Father’s Day without their Dad and Husband. I hope that Andy’s story gets made and that will inspire all of us in our daily lives. Andy’s beauty was beyond skin deep.
oh123
Please donate to this, for anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer (myself included, last year)it will be a donation not only for Andy’s memory but for all who have fought the battle bravely and whether they have won or lost they will never be forgotten.
RIP Andy and my prayers go out the amazing Mrs Whitefield and Family, everyone should have a such an amazing partner as her.
Bailey
uh, how about donating to cancer research rather than a stupid movie.
oh123
@Bailey:I do in fact, and as a nurse I not only do it at work but also volunteer in hospices in my spare time, what do you do? other than make pointless comments.
Belize
@jason: Can’t say the same about you. 🙂
Superman
May you walk with angels, Andy, and may God hold in the palm of His hand. Peace and love, always.
KyleW
@Superman: Ahh, meaningless religious platitude number 6. I’m sure he appreciates it.
DrakeScott
Mr. Whitfield’s story is moving and tragic, and my heart goes out to his family. However, it’s incredibly self-serving and disingenuous of the filmmakers to appeal to people’s sympathy in order to raise money to complete their project. If you can get financial support for the completion of the film on its own merits, that’s wonderful. Just don’t say a donation to your career is in any way going to help “raise awareness” for the need to cure cancer. Since there are precious few individuals walking the planet whose life hasn’t been touched in some way by cancer, it’s not awareness that’s going to save lives – it’s finding the cure. I agree with @Bailey; donate to cancer RESEARCH if you’re going to donate. People already know too well that cancer destroys lives – now they need to ACT on that knowledge if so moved and in a position to help.