Andy Whitfield, 39, 'Spartacus' star

LOS ANGELES - Andy Whitfield, 39, who played the title role in the hit cable series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, died Sunday in Sydney, Australia, 18 months after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"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," Mr. Whitfield's wife, Vashti, said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love."

Mr. Whitfield - who was born in Wales and moved to Australia in 1999 - was a virtual unknown when he was cast as the legendary Thracian slave in Spartacus, a role made famous by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 Stanley Kubrick film.

The series proved a breakout hit for the Starz network and made waves with its graphic violence and sexuality.

Mr. Whitfield appeared in all 13 episodes of the first season in 2010 and was preparing to shoot the second when he was diagnosed with cancer.

While waiting for Mr. Whitfield's treatment and expected recovery, the network produced a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, televised earlier this year with only a brief voice-over from the actor.

But in January after Mr. Whitfield's condition grew worse, the network announced that another Australian actor, Liam McIntyre, would take over the role.

Mr. Whitfield's previous credits included appearances on the Australian TV shows Packed to the Rafters and McLeod's Daughters.

He is also survived by two children.