Nicholas Brendon, Xander Harris on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' dies

Nicholas Brendon, who played Xander Harris in \

Nicholas Brendon, best known for playing lovable Xander Harris on all seven seasons of the WB TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," died Friday, March 20. He was 54.

In a statement posted on Brendon's official Facebook page, his family said the actor died in his sleep.

"We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes," the statement read. "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."

Brendon was nominated for a Saturn Award in 1998 and 1999 for best genre TV actor and in 2000 for best supporting actor during the "Buffy" run (1997-2003). He appeared in multiple episodes of "Criminal Minds" as Kevin Lynch, an FBI technical analyst and love interest to Penelope Garcia, played by Kirsten Vangsness.

But much of the actor's post "Buffy" career was characterized by health difficulties, substance abuse and high profile arrests. In October 2014, Brendon was arrested in Boise, Idaho after witnesses called police to report a disturbance involving hotel employees. Four months later, in February 2015, Brendon was arrested again Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after he caused extensive damage to a hotel room.