Nicholas Brendon's Real Name: Nicholas Brendon Schultz

Quick answer: Nicholas Brendon's birth name was Nicholas Brendon Schultz. He was born on April 12, 1971, in Los Angeles, California, and died on March 20, 2026.

Real name and early life

Encyclopedia.com and the Library of Congress record him as Nicholas Brendon (born 1971); Encyclopedia.com notes birth name Nicholas Brendon Schultz, born April 12, 1971, in Los Angeles. His official biography states he was born three minutes after identical twin brother Kelly Donovan, attended Chatsworth High School, and hoped to play baseball for the Dodgers before an arm injury redirected him toward acting.

Quick facts

• Real name / birth name: Nicholas Brendon Schultz
• Known as: Nicholas Brendon; Nicky
• Born: April 12, 1971, in Los Angeles, California
• Died: March 20, 2026 (AP; BBC)
• Known for: Actor
• Notable work: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Xander Harris); Criminal Minds
• Sources checked: AP News, BBC, Library of Congress Name Authority, official site

Career highlights

Brendon's breakthrough was Xander Harris on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), a role that built a lasting cult following; he and twin Kelly appeared together in the episode "The Replacement." Film and TV followed, including Psycho Beach Party (2000), Kitchen Confidential, and a long recurring turn as FBI analyst Kevin Lynch on Criminal Minds. He later appeared on Faking It and co-wrote Buffy Season Ten comics for Dark Horse that reached the New York Times bestseller list.

After a severe 2021 spinal injury (cauda equina syndrome) he retired from acting to focus on writing and painting, per his official site. AP and BBC reported his death at age 54 in March 2026; family statements cited natural causes while sleeping.

Name notes

Nicholas Brendon Schultz is the birth name; he worked professionally as Nicholas Brendon. Death is included only because AP and BBC confirmed it. Fan sites often copy names from one another, so we checked this page against AP, BBC, LOC, and his official biography.